Abstract:
A short throw projector mount enabling a finely tuned distance adjustment and/or finely tuned height adjustment of an attached projector. The mount includes a wall interface, a projector positioning head, and an elongate arm operably coupling the wall interface and the projector positioning head. A first end of the arm is coupled to the wall interface, and the projector positioning head is operably coupled proximate an opposing second end of the arm such that the projector positioning head is shiftable along a longitudinal axis of the arm. The arm further includes a positioning mechanism arranged to selectively drive shifting of the projector positioning head. A vertical positioning mechanism may be provided to shift the projector vertically relative to the wall interface.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/722,691, entitled SHORT THROW PROJECTOR MOUNT WITH MICRO-ADJUST FEATURE, and filed Nov. 5, 2012, said applications being hereby fully incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to mounting projection devices, and more specifically to mounts for short throw projectors. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Short throw projection devices mounted from walls or a projection surface are commonly used to facilitate presentations to groups of people. Some examples of prior mounts for short throw projectors are disclosed in U.S. Design Patent Nos. D623,679 and D623,680, hereby fully incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0004]    It is advantageous that mounts for projection devices provide for finely tuned adjustment of projector position in order to ensure that the projector is properly aimed relative to the projection screen. An example of a projector mount providing such finely tunable position adjustment is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,297,578, hereby fully incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0005]    For short throw projectors in particular, however, it is desirable to provide for adjustment of the distance of the projector relative to the screen, as well as adjustment for vertical projector height relative to the projection screen. While prior devices generally enable course adjustment of projector distance from the screen, the mechanisms in these devices usually require loosening of one or more fasteners, careful adjustment of the mount and projector position, and re-tightening of the fasteners to frictionally hold the device in the adjusted position. It is difficult for an installer to hold a heavy projection in the proper position while effecting the re-tightening, and often the act of tightening the fasteners causes a shift in the projector position, resulting in further attempts at adjustment or less than optimal projector positioning. As for height adjustability, prior mounts are usually fixed in height and cannot easily be repositioned without removal and reinstallation of the mount. 
         [0006]    What is needed is a short throw projector mount that provides finely tuned distance adjustment and/or finely tuned height adjustment. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    A short throw projector mount according to embodiments of the invention addresses the need of the industry for finely tuned distance adjustment and/or finely tuned height adjustment. 
         [0008]    According to an embodiment, a mount for a projector includes a wall interface, a projector positioning head, and an elongate arm operably coupling the wall interface and the projector positioning head. A first end of the arm is coupled to the wall interface, and the projector positioning head is operably coupled proximate an opposing second end of the arm such that the projector positioning head is shiftable along a longitudinal axis of the arm. The arm further includes a positioning mechanism arranged to selectively drive shifting of the projector positioning head. 
         [0009]    According to an embodiment, the positioning mechanism includes a gear rotatably coupled to the projector positioning head, the gear defining a plurality of teeth. The arm defines an elongate slot, an edge of the slot defining a plurality of gear teeth, the teeth of the gear engaged with the gear teeth defined in the edge of the slot, wherein the projector positioning head shifts along the elongate arm as the gear is rotated. 
         [0010]    In an embodiment, the projector positioning head comprises a carrier, a first bracket operably coupled to the carrier such that the first bracket is rotatable about a first axis, and a second bracket operably coupled to the first bracket such that the second bracket is rotatable about a second axis oriented transverse to the first axis. The projector positioning head can further include a second positioning mechanism arranged to selectively drive rotation of the first bracket about the first axis, and a third positioning mechanism arranged to selectively drive rotation of the second bracket about the second axis. 
         [0011]    In a further embodiment, the projector positioning head can further include a third bracket operably coupled to the second bracket such that the third bracket is rotatable about a third axis oriented transverse to both the first axis and the second axis. The projector positioning head can include a fourth positioning mechanism arranged to selectively drive rotation of the third bracket about the third axis. 
         [0012]    In an embodiment, the mount further includes a vertical positioning mechanism operably coupled to the arm and the wall interface, the vertical positioning mechanism arranged to selectively vertically shift the arm relative to the wall interface. 
         [0013]    In an embodiment, a projector system includes a projector, and a mount for attaching the projector to a wall. The mount includes a wall interface, a projector positioning head attached to the projector, and an elongate arm operably coupling the wall interface and the projector positioning head. A first end of the arm is coupled to the wall interface, and the projector positioning head is operably coupled proximate an opposing second end of the arm such that the projector positioning head is shiftable along a longitudinal axis of the arm. The arm further includes a positioning mechanism arranged to selectively drive shifting of the projector positioning head. 
         [0014]    According to a further embodiment, a mount for a projector includes a wall interface, a projector positioning head, and an elongate arm operably coupling the wall interface and the projector positioning head. A first end of the arm is coupled to the wall interface, and the projector positioning head is operably coupled proximate an opposing second end of the arm such that the projector positioning head is shiftable along a longitudinal axis of the arm. The arm further includes a positioning mechanism arranged to selectively drive shifting of the projector positioning head. The projector positioning head includes a carrier, a pitch bracket operably coupled to the carrier such that the pitch bracket is rotatable about a pitch axis, and a roll bracket operably coupled to the pitch bracket such that the roll bracket is rotatable about a roll axis oriented transverse to the pitch axis. 
         [0015]    In an embodiment, the projector positioning head can further include a second positioning mechanism arranged to selectively drive rotation of the pitch bracket about the pitch axis, and a third positioning mechanism arranged to selectively drive rotation of the roll bracket about the roll axis. The positioning mechanism can include a gear rotatably coupled to the carrier, the gear defining a plurality of teeth. The arm can define an elongate slot, an edge of the slot defining a plurality of gear teeth, the teeth of the gear engaged with the gear teeth defined in the edge of the slot, wherein the projector positioning head shifts along the elongate arm as the gear is rotated. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    The embodiments of the present invention may be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  is a top front isometric view of a short throw projector mount according to an embodiment of the invention with an attached projector; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a bottom rear isometric view of the short throw projector mount of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a side elevation view of the mount of  FIG. 1  with some components shown in phantom for clarity; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a front elevation view of the mount of  FIG. 1  with some components shown in phantom for clarity; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is top plan view of the mount of  FIG. 1  with some components shown in phantom for clarity; 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is a top front isometric view of the of the projector positioning head of the mount of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is a top front isometric view of the of the projector positioning head of the mount of  FIG. 1  with yaw, pitch, and roll positioning knobs omitted for clarity; 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  is a top front isometric view of the of the projector positioning head of the mount of  FIG. 1  with yaw, pitch, and roll positioning knobs omitted for clarity and with a portion of the head depicted in phantom to better depict the fine distance adjustment feature of the device; and 
           [0025]      FIG. 9  is a fragmentary front isometric view of the projector mount of  FIG. 1  with the extension arm depicted in phantom to better depict the vertical height adjustment feature of the device. 
       
    
    
       [0026]    While the present 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 present invention to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0027]    There is depicted in  FIGS. 1-9  a mount  100  for short throw projector  102  according to an embodiment of the present invention. Mount  100  generally includes wall interface assembly  104 , extension arm  106 , projector positioning head  108 , and egg crate mounting plate  110 . 
         [0028]    Wall interface assembly  104  as depicted in  FIG. 9  generally includes horizontal brackets  112 ,  114 , vertical bracket  116 , and vertical positioner  118 . Horizontal brackets  112 ,  114  attach to vertical wall  120  with fasteners (not depicted). Vertical bracket  116  extends between horizontal brackets  112 ,  114 , and is rigidly attached to each with fasteners  122 . Vertical bracket  116  generally includes forwardly extending side flanges  124 ,  126 , each defining guide slots  128 . Vertical bracket  116  also presents forwardly extending flange  130 , which receives vertical positioner  118  through an aperture defined therein, such that vertical positioner  118  is freely rotatable therein. Extension arm  106  is secured to vertical bracket  116  with fasteners  132  through guide slots  128 , such that fasteners  132  are slidable in guide slots  128 . Vertical positioner  118  generally includes threaded bolt  134  and nut  136 , which is positioned below the top wall  138  of extension arm  106 . As threaded bolt  134  is rotated, nut  136  threads on bolt  134 , thereby shifting the vertical position of extension arm  106  up or down relative to horizontal brackets  112 ,  114 , the direction of movement depending on the rotational direction imparted to threaded bolt  134 . 
         [0029]    Extension arm  106  can be formed as a generally c-shaped channel with the open side (opposite top wall  138 ) facing downward. As depicted in  FIG. 5 , top wall  138  defines guide slots  140  and positioning slot  142 . Positioning slot  142  has gear teeth  144  defined in one edge thereof. 
         [0030]    As depicted in  FIGS. 6-8 , projector positioning head  108  generally includes carrier bracket  146 , pitch bracket  148 , roll bracket  150 , and yaw plate  152 . Carrier bracket  146  generally includes horizontal top plate portion  154  and downwardly extending flanges  156 ,  158 . As depicted in  FIG. 8 , distance positioning control  160  is rotatably received through an aperture defined in top plate portion  154 , and generally includes knob  162 , which is fixed to shaft  164 , which in turn is fixed to gear  166 . Teeth defined in gear  166  are meshed with gear teeth  144  of positioning slot  142  of extension arm  106 . Carrier bracket  146  is fastened to extension arm  106  with fasteners  168  extending through guide slots  140  such that carrier bracket  146  is longitudinally slidable on extension arm  106 . It will be appreciated that at least one  169  of fasteners  168  may be selectively adjustable as to tightness so as to add or remove friction from the sliding connection between carrier bracket  146  and extension arm  106  as desired. As knob  162  is rotated, gear  166  rotates, and due to the meshing of gear  166  with gear teeth  144 , carrier bracket  146  translates along extension arm  106 , thereby finely adjusting the distance of a projector  102  coupled with projector positioning head  108  relative to a projection screen on wall  120 . 
         [0031]    Pitch bracket  148  generally includes plate  170  with upwardly extending side flanges  172 ,  174 , and downwardly extending flanges  176 ,  178 . Upwardly extending side flanges  172 ,  174 , define arcuate guide slots  180 . 
         [0032]    Carrier bracket  146  is secured to pitch bracket  148  with fasteners  182  through guide slots  180  such that pitch bracket  148  is shiftable relative to carrier bracket  146  and extension arm  106  in an arcuate path defined by guide slots  180 , thereby providing fore-and-aft pitch adjustment for projector  102 . It will be appreciated that, with proper tolerances, guide slots  180  may be straight or other shape, so long as generally arcuate pitching motion of pitch bracket  148  relative to carrier bracket  146  is facilitated. It will also be appreciated that guide slots  180  could be replaced with other guide structures such as closed channels while remaining within the scope of the invention. At least one  184  of fasteners  182  may be selectively adjustable as to tightness so as to add or remove friction from the sliding connection between carrier bracket  146  and pitch bracket  148  as desired. Pitch adjustment control  186  generally includes knob  188 , which is fixed to shaft  190 , which in turn is fixed to gear  192 . As depicted in  FIG. 7 , gear  192  is meshed with gear teeth  194  defined in the top edge of upwardly extending flange  172 . As knob  188  is rotated, gear  192  rotates, and due to the meshing of gear  192  with gear teeth  194 , pitch bracket  148  shifts along the arcuate path defined by arcuate guide slots  180 , thereby finely adjusting the pitch position of a projector  102  coupled with projector positioning head  108  relative to a projection screen on wall  120 . 
         [0033]    Roll bracket  150  generally includes plate portion  196  with upwardly extending flanges  198 ,  200 . Upwardly extending flanges  198 ,  200 , define arcuate guide slots  202 . 
         [0034]    Pitch bracket  148  is secured to roll bracket  150  with fasteners  204  through guide slots  202  such that roll bracket  150  is shiftable relative to pitch bracket  148  and extension arm  106  in an arcuate path defined by guide slots  202 , thereby providing side-to-side roll adjustment for projector  102 . It will be appreciated that, with proper tolerances, guide slots  202  may be straight or other shape, so long as generally arcuate rolling motion of roll bracket  150  relative to pitch bracket  148  is facilitated. It will also be appreciated that guide slots  202  could be replaced with other guide structures such as closed channels while remaining within the scope of the invention. At least one  206  of fasteners  204  may be selectively adjustable as to tightness so as to add or remove friction from the sliding connection between pitch bracket  148  and roll bracket  150  as desired. Roll adjustment control  208  generally includes knob  210 , which is fixed to shaft  212 , which in turn is fixed to gear  214 . As depicted in  FIG. 7 , gear  214  is meshed with gear teeth  216  defined in the top edge of upwardly extending flange  198 . As knob  210  is rotated, gear  214  rotates, and due to the meshing of gear  214  with gear teeth  216 , roll bracket  150  shifts along the arcuate path defined by arcuate guide slots  202 , thereby finely adjusting the roll position of a projector  102  coupled with projector positioning head  108  relative to a projection screen on wall  120 . 
         [0035]    Yaw plate  152  is to roll bracket  150  with fasteners  217  through guide slots  219  defined in roll bracket  150  such that yaw plate  152  is shiftable relative to roll bracket  150  and extension arm  106  in an arcuate path defined by guide slots  219 , thereby providing yaw adjustment for projector  102 . It will be appreciated that, with proper tolerances, guide slots  219  may be straight or other shape, so long as generally arcuate yawing motion of yaw plate  152  relative to pitch bracket  150  is facilitated. It will also be appreciated that guide slots  219  could be replaced with other guide structures such as closed channels while remaining within the scope of the invention. At least one  230  of fasteners  204  may be selectively adjustable as to tightness so as to add or remove friction from the sliding connection between yaw plate  152  and roll bracket  150  as desired. 
         [0036]    Yaw plate  152  rotatably receives yaw adjustment control  218  through an aperture defined therein. Yaw adjustment control  218  generally includes knob  220 , which is fixed to shaft  222 , which in turn is fixed to gear  224 . Gear housing  226  is pinned to yaw plate  152  with pins  228 , and shaft  222  is rotatably received through an aperture in gear housing  226 . As depicted in  FIG. 7 , gear  224  is meshed with gear teeth  228  defined in a lateral edge of plate portion  196 . As knob  220  is rotated, gear  224  rotates, and due to the meshing of gear  224  with gear teeth  228 , yaw plate  152  shifts along the arcuate path defined by arcuate guide slots  219 , thereby finely adjusting the yaw position of a projector  102  coupled with projector positioning head  108  relative to a projection screen on wall  120 . 
         [0037]    Yaw plate  152  is attached to the top side of egg crate mounting plate  110  at any desired position, and projector  102  can likewise be attached to the bottom side of egg crate mounting plate  110  at any desired position. 
         [0038]    Further general details of the pitch, roll, and yaw adjustment, as well as details of how the device can be made self-balancing through configuration of the various components can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 8,297,578, hereby fully incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0039]    The foregoing descriptions present numerous specific details that provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments of the invention. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various embodiments, having been disclosed herein, may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, components as are known to those of ordinary skill in the art have not been described in detail herein in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present invention. It is to be understood that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of various embodiments are set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of various embodiments, this disclosure is illustrative only. Other embodiments may be constructed that nevertheless employ the principles and spirit of the present invention. Accordingly, this application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the invention. 
         [0040]    For purposes of interpreting the claims for the present invention, it is expressly intended that the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112(f) are not to be invoked unless the specific terms “means for” or “step for” are recited in a claim.