Abstract:
A flat panel display mount that enables full motion positioning of a display while maintaining a very thin profile for the mount such that the display can be positioned as closely as possible to the wall when desired.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/359,218, filed Jun. 28, 2010, and entitled SWING ARM, TILT POSITIONABLE MOUNT FOR ELECTRONIC DISPLAY, said application being hereby fully incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to mounts for televisions and monitors, and more specifically to mounts for televisions and monitors enabling positional adjustment of the display. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     As flat panel television and monitor technology advances, the displays become ever larger and thinner. The most desirable aesthetic for an electronic display is to be as thin as possible, and if mounted on a wall, to essentially have the appearance of a framed photograph. At the same time, it is highly desirable to be able to dynamically position the orientation of the display so as to enable the best possible viewing angle for the audience; usually perpendicular to the plane of the display screen. 
     Mounts have been previously developed that enable a wall mounted display to be positioned at nearly any angle or position. These prior mounts, however, generally have drawbacks. For example, a mount must be of relatively heavy construction in order to safely support a large electronic display. But, such heavy mounts generally require more than one person for installation of the mount—one to hold the mount in the desired position, and another to fasten the mount in place. This adds time, difficulty, and expense to the installation. 
     Another drawback of prior heavy mounts is that the size of the components dictates that the mount is relatively thicker, meaning that the display is positioned a relatively greater distance from the wall when the display is positioned as close as possible to the wall. This detracts from the desirable aesthetic mentioned above. 
     What is needed is a mount for flat panel displays that addresses the need in the industry for a mount that addresses the drawbacks of the prior art mounts. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Embodiments of the present invention address the needs of the industry for a flat panel display mount that enables full motion positioning of a display while maintaining a very thin profile for the mount such that the display can be positioned as closely as possible to the wall when desired. Further, the mount of embodiments of the invention is capable of being mounted to the wall by only one person working alone. 
     In an embodiment, a mount for an electronic display device includes a wall interface including a substantially vertically oriented column portion, an articulating arm assembly operably coupled with the column portion, and a display interface. The display interface presents a display interface surface for receiving the electronic display device and a display tilt assembly enabling selective horizontal tilting of the display interface surface relative to the wall. The display tilt assembly is operably coupled to the articulating arm assembly and includes a support interface portion defining a vertically oriented recess on a rear side thereof. The articulating arm assembly enables selective shifting of the display interface between a first position closely proximate the wall interface such that the column portion of the wall interface is received in the recess of the support interface portion, and a second position in which the display interface is spaced apart from the wall interface. 
     The wall interface can further include an upper mounting bracket and a lower mounting bracket spaced apart from the upper mounting bracket, the column portion extending between the upper mounting bracket and the lower mounting bracket. In an embodiment, the articulating arm assembly can include a pair of articulating arms. 
     In an embodiment, the display tilt assembly is selectively tiltable between a first generally upright position in which a top edge of the display interface surface is positioned rearwardly relative to a bottom edge of the display interface surface and a tilt position in which the top edge of the display interface surface is positioned forwardly relative to a bottom edge of the display interface surface. A center of mass of an electronic display received on the display mounting surface may first rise vertically, and then proceed along a substantially horizontal path relative to the ground as the display tilt assembly is shifted between the first generally upright position and the tilt position. The display tilt assembly may further include an interface body and pair of spaced apart arm assemblies operably coupling the interface body with the support interface portion. The spaced apart arm assemblies may each include a first arm pivotally coupled to a second arm, the first arm pivotally coupled to the interface body at a pivot, the pivot being vertically shiftable to enable the center of mass of an electronic display received on the display mounting surface to rise vertically as the display tilt assembly is shifted between the first generally upright position and the tilt position. 
     In an embodiment, an electronic display system includes an electronic display device, a wall interface including a substantially vertically oriented column portion, an articulating arm assembly operably coupled with the column portion, and a display interface. The display interface presents a display interface surface receiving the electronic display device thereon and a display tilt assembly enabling selective horizontal tilting of the electronic display device relative to the wall. The display tilt assembly is operably coupled to the articulating arm assembly and includes a support interface portion defining a vertically oriented recess on a rear side thereof. The articulating arm assembly enables selective shifting of the display interface between a first position closely proximate the wall interface such that the column portion of the wall interface is received in the recess of the support interface portion, and a second position in which the display interface is spaced apart from the wall interface. The wall interface may further include an upper mounting bracket and a lower mounting bracket spaced apart from the upper mounting bracket, the column portion extending between the upper mounting bracket and the lower mounting bracket. The articulating arm assembly may include a pair of articulating arms. 
     In an embodiment, the display tilt assembly is selectively tiltable between a first generally upright position in which a top edge of the electronic display device is positioned rearwardly relative to a bottom edge of the electronic display device and a tilt position in which the top edge of the electronic display device is positioned forwardly relative to a bottom edge of the electronic display device. A center of mass of the electronic display device may first rise vertically, and then proceed along a substantially horizontal path relative to the ground as the display tilt assembly is shifted between the first generally upright position and the tilt position. In an embodiment, the display tilt assembly may further include an interface body and pair of spaced apart arm assemblies operably coupling the interface body with the support interface portion. The spaced apart arm assemblies can each include a first arm pivotally coupled to a second arm, the first arm pivotally coupled to the interface body at a pivot, the pivot being vertically shiftable to enable the center of mass of an electronic display received on the display mounting surface to rise vertically as the display tilt assembly is shifted between the first generally upright position and the tilt position. 
     In an embodiment, a mount for an electronic display device includes a wall interface including a substantially vertically oriented column portion, an articulating arm assembly operably coupled with the column portion, and a display interface. The display interface presents a display interface surface for receiving the electronic display device and has tilt means for enabling selective horizontal tilting of the display interface surface relative to the wall. The tilt means includes a support interface defining a vertically oriented recess on a rear side thereof. The articulating arm assembly enables selective shifting of the display interface between a first position closely proximate the wall interface such that the column portion of the wall interface is received in the recess of the support interface, and a second position in which the display interface is spaced apart from the wall interface. 
     In an embodiment, the tilt means enables selective tilting between a first generally upright position in which a top edge of the display interface surface is positioned rearwardly relative to a bottom edge of the display interface surface and a tilt position in which the top edge of the display interface surface is positioned forwardly relative to a bottom edge of the display interface surface. A center of mass of an electronic display received on the display mounting surface may first rise vertically, and then proceed along a substantially horizontal path relative to the ground as the tilt means is shifted between the first generally upright position and the tilt position. The tilt means can include an interface body and pair of spaced apart arm assemblies operably coupling the interface body with the support interface portion. The spaced apart arm assemblies can each include a first arm pivotally coupled to a second arm, the first arm pivotally coupled to the interface body at a pivot, the pivot being vertically shiftable to enable the center of mass of an electronic display received on the display mounting surface to rise vertically as the display tilt assembly is shifted between the first generally upright position and the tilt position. 
     In an embodiment, a method of installing a mount for an electronic display device includes attaching a first bracket to a wall, coupling a first end of a generally vertically oriented column portion to the first bracket, coupling a second end of the column portion to a second bracket, and attaching the second bracket to the wall. The method may further include coupling an arm assembly to the column portion, and coupling a display interface assembly to the arm assembly. 
     In an embodiment, a mount for an electronic display device includes a first generally horizontal bracket, a second generally horizontal bracket, and a generally vertical elongate column portion extending between the first bracket and the second bracket. Each of the first and second brackets define structure for slidably receiving cooperating structure defined on opposing ends of the column portion. In an embodiment, the column portion defines structure for receiving an arm assembly, and the arm assembly receives a display interface, which may include a tilt assembly for enabling tilt adjustment of an electronic display coupled to the display interface. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention may be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments of the invention in connection with the following drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a mount according to an embodiment of the invention in an extended position; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the mount of  FIG. 1  in a folded position adjacent a wall to which the mount is attached; 
         FIG. 3  is a side elevation view of the mount of  FIG. 1  in the folded position; 
         FIG. 4  is a side elevation view of the mount of  FIG. 1  in the extended position; 
         FIG. 5  is a rear perspective view of the tilt assembly of the mount of  FIG. 1  with a portion of the assembly depicted in phantom for clarity; 
         FIG. 5A  is a rear perspective view of the tilt assembly of the mount of  FIG. 1  showing the tilt assembly pivotally attached to the swing arms; 
         FIG. 6  is a fragmentary side cross-sectional view of the tilt assembly of the mount of  FIG. 1  with a flat panel display attached, depicting the mount in a fully upright tilt position; 
         FIG. 7  is a fragmentary side cross-sectional view of the tilt assembly of the mount of  FIG. 1  with a flat panel display attached, depicting the mount in an intermediate tilt position; 
         FIG. 8  is a fragmentary side cross-sectional view of the tilt assembly of the mount of  FIG. 1  with a flat panel display attached, depicting the mount in a fully tilted tilt position; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a wall bracket portion of the mount of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a fragmentary side elevation view of the wall bracket and clamp portion of the mount of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a fragmentary perspective view of the wall bracket and clamp portion of the mount of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the mount of  FIG. 1  in an intermediate stage of installation; 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the mount of  FIG. 1  in a further intermediate stage of installation; 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of the mount of  FIG. 1  in a final stage of installation, with the wall bracket covers depicted in phantom for clarity; 
         FIG. 15  is a fragmentary view of a portion of the mount of  FIG. 1  depicting an arm retention assembly; and 
         FIG. 16  is a fragmentary rear perspective view of a portion of the mount of  FIG. 1  depicting the arm retention assembly retaining the arms in a folded position. 
     
    
    
     While the invention is amenable 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 invention to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Display mount  100  generally includes wall interface assembly  102 , swing arm assembly  104 , and display interface assembly  106 . Wall interface assembly  102  generally includes upper wall bracket assembly  108 , central support assembly  110 , and lower wall bracket assembly  112 . Upper wall bracket assembly  108  generally includes wall bracket  114 , clamp assembly  116 , and cover  118 . 
     As depicted in  FIG. 9 , wall bracket  114  has back plane  120  with outwardly projecting wall  122  along one edge, and lip  123  with horizontal portion  124  and vertical portion  126  along the opposing edge. Tab  128  extends downwardly from vertical portion  126  at one end of wall bracket  114 . Back plane  120  defines a pair of keyhole apertures  130 . 
     As depicted in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , clamp assembly  116  generally includes L-shaped outer portion  132  and clamp block  134 . L-shaped outer portion  132  is removably secured to clamp block  134  with fasteners  136 . As depicted in  FIG. 10 , lip  123  of wall bracket  114  is received in L-shaped recess  138  defined between L-shaped outer portion  132  and clamp block  134 . Lower wall bracket assembly  112  is identical to upper wall bracket assembly  108 , except inverted. 
     Central support assembly  110  is coupled to clamp assembly  116  of each of upper wall bracket assembly  108  and lower wall bracket assembly  112 , and generally includes upper support column  136 , central support columns  138 ,  140 , lower support block  142 , and arm carrier  144 . Arm carrier  144  is vertically shiftable on central support columns  138 ,  140 , by turning vertical adjustment screw  146 , so that the vertical position of the swing arm assembly  104  can be adjusted within a range “Y” (depicted in  FIG. 1 ) relative to upper wall bracket assembly  108  and lower wall bracket assembly  112 . 
     Swing arm assembly  104  generally includes a pair of articulating arms  148 ,  150 . Each arm  148 ,  150 , generally includes lower arm  152  and upper arm  154 , pivotally coupled together at pivot joint  156 . Inner end  158  of each lower arm  152  is pivotally coupled to arm carrier  144 . Outer end  160  of each upper arm  154  is pivotally coupled to display interface assembly  106 . These pivotal connections enable display interface assembly  106  to be selectively shifted between a wall-hugging position as depicted in  FIG. 2  and an extended position where display interface assembly  106  is positioned away from the wall as depicted in  FIG. 1 . In addition, when display interface assembly  106  is positioned away from the wall, display interface assembly  106  can be shifted laterally relative to wall interface assembly  102  to laterally position the electronic display attached to display interface assembly  106 . It will be appreciated that hollow wire management covers  162  can be provided on each lower arm  152  and upper arm  154  to conceal and route wires and cables extending between connections in the wall and the electronic display attached to display interface assembly  106 . 
     Display interface assembly  106  generally includes display interface  164 , central coupling plate  166  and display tilt assembly  168 . Display tilt assembly  168  is depicted in  FIGS. 5-8  and generally includes interface body  170 , support interface  172 , a pair of first tilt arms  174 , a pair of second tilt arms  176 , and a pair of guide arms  178 . Interface body  170  includes planar portion  180  with a pair of rearwardly projecting walls  182  at each lateral edge. Each wall  182  defines a rectangular aperture  184 . Planar portion  180  defines a plurality of apertures  186  for receiving fasteners to attach planar portion  180  to central coupling plate  166 . 
     Support interface  172  generally includes central body portion  188  with a pair of opposing walls  190  projecting rearwardly at the top and bottom margins. Each of walls  190  defines a pair of spaced apart apertures  192  positioned such that each the apertures  192  are vertically registered. Notably walls  190  are shaped conformingly to central support assembly  110  in the space between apertures  192 , effectively defining a vertically oriented recess  190   a  for receiving central support assembly  110 , so that tilt assembly  168  can be positioned as closely as possible to central support assembly  110  when the mount is placed in the folded position of  FIG. 2 . Apertures  192  receive pivot pins  193 , which pivotally couple upper arms  154  to support interface  172 . Support interface  172  also includes opposing lateral flange structures  194 , each including a wall portion  196  oriented perpendicular to central body portion  188 , and a laterally projecting flange  198  extending from each wall portion  196 . Wall portion  196  defines vertically oriented slot  200  which has a slightly rearwardly inclined portion  202  at the bottom end. 
     Each first arm  174  is pivotally coupled to second arm  176  at pivot  203 , and defines an arcuate slot  204  centered on pivot  203 . First arm  174  is pivotally coupled to support interface  172  at pivot  206 , and pivotally coupled to interface body  170  at pivot  208 . Pivot  208  is received in rectangular aperture  184  such that pivot  208  can shift vertically. Each second arm  176  is pivotally coupled to interface body  170  at pivot  210 , and is also pivotally coupled to support interface  172  at pivot  212 . Pivot  212  is slidingly received in slot  200 , such that pivot  212  can shift vertically in the slot  200 . Guide arm  178  extends between pivot  203  and guide stud  214  which extends from second arm  176  and through arcuate slot  204 . 
     The tilting operation of display tilt assembly  168  is depicted in  FIGS. 6-8 . As depicted in  FIG. 6 , with the tilt assembly in the most upright position, top end  216  of flat panel display  218  is tipped slightly in a rearward direction toward the wall on which mount  100  is attached, thereby introducing a slight bias against forward tilting motion when in this most upright position to inhibit unintentional tilting if the mount is bumped. When a user grips the top end  216  of flat panel display  218  and pulls it away from the wall, the tilting motion is initiated. Preferably, the center of mass (C.M.) of flat panel display  218  is positioned slightly outward from planar portion  180  of interface body  170  as depicted in  FIGS. 6-8 . The dimensions and geometry of the linkage formed by first arms  174 , second arms  176  interface body  170  and support interface  172 , are arranged such that as motion is initiated, center of mass C.M. proceeds along a prescribed path of travel (P), first rising a slight distance in a mostly vertical direction as motion is first initiated, and then traveling horizontally level with the ground. The slight bias against initiation of tilting motion provided by the initial rise in motion is advantageous as it tends to inhibit undesired tilting if the mount is unintentionally bumped or jarred. With center of mass C.M. traveling in a horizontal path level with the ground, flat panel display  218  will be essentially self-balancing and will maintain any desired position along the full range of tilting motion from the fully upright position of  FIG. 6  to the fully tilted position of  FIG. 8 . 
     Another advantageous feature of embodiments of mount  100  is that the mount can be easily installed by only one person. To begin the installation, wall bracket  114  is attached to the wall  220  as depicted in  FIG. 9 , substantially parallel to the floor or ceiling. Wall bracket  114  may be attached by first screwing lag bolts  222  into wall  220 . Bracket  114  can then be attached by advancing the heads of lag bolts  222  through enlarged end  224  of the keyhole slots  130 , and sliding wall bracket  114  to the right to engage lag bolts  222  in narrower portion  226  of keyhole slots  130 . C-clips  228  can then be clipped around lag bolts  222  below the heads in order to prevent the heads of lag bolts  222  from being drawn back through enlarged end  224  of the keyhole slots  130  should wall bracket  114  be unintentionally shifted. 
     With wall bracket  114  in place, clamp assembly  116  can be loosened by loosening fasteners  136 , and then slid onto lip  123  of wall bracket  114  from the right as depicted in  FIG. 12 . It will be appreciated that central support assembly  110  can be positioned at any point along the length of wall bracket  114  so as to enable positioning of mount  100  at nearly any desired position on the wall. Tab  128  provides safety by preventing central support assembly  110  from being advanced past the left end of the wall bracket  114 . Once central support assembly  110  is in the desired position, fasteners  136  can be tightened to clamp central support assembly tightly to wall bracket  114 . 
     With central support assembly  110  now suspended from wall bracket  114 , the wall bracket  114  of lower wall bracket assembly  112  can be advanced through the clamp assembly  116  at the lower end of central support assembly  110  as depicted in  FIG. 13 . Once in the desired position, this lower wall bracket  114  can be secured to the wall with lag bolts. Upwardly projecting tab  128  prevents central support assembly from being disengaged by advancing too far to the right. Both wall brackets can then be concealed with covers  118  as depicted in  FIG. 14 . 
     A further advantageous feature of embodiments of the invention is depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 15 . In particular, the mount  100  may be provided with an arm retention assembly  240  and an adjustable arm stop  242 . Arm retention assembly  240  generally includes body portion  244 , latch members  246 ,  248 , guide members  250 , and spring biasing members  252 . Guide members  250  extend laterally from body portion  244  and are received in apertures in latch members  246 ,  248 . Spring biasing members  252  bias latch members  246 ,  248 , outwardly away from body portion  244 . Outside ends  254  of latch members  246 ,  248 , are conformingly shaped to front ends  256  of upper arms  154 . 
     In operation, as arms  154  are pushed toward central support assembly  110  to place mount  100  in the folded position of  FIG. 2 , front ends  256  of upper arms  154  contact latch members  246 ,  248 , and urge them inward against the bias of spring biasing member  252 . When the mount is fully folded, front ends  256  nestle into the conforming shape of outside ends  254  of latch members  246 ,  248 , and the springs  252  urge the latch members against the arms  154 , thereby tending to retain arms  154  in position. The arms can then be deployed to the extended position by simply grasping the display and pulling outwards, thereby dislodging arms  154  from latch members  246 ,  248 . 
     Stop  242  generally includes a rubber or other elastomeric bumper element  260  which has a threaded fastener (not depicted) extending from the back side. The threaded fastener is threaded into central support assembly  110 . By turning stop  242  to either thread into or out of central support assembly  110 , the position of the outer face of the bumper  260  can be positioned closer or further away from central support assembly  110 . In operation, the outer face of the bumper  260  contacts the inner face  262  of support interface  172 , and provides a stop to prevent the swing arms from being folded too far inwardly toward the wall. 
     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.