Abstract:
A panel television support and mounting kit allows the consumer to employ any of the three modes of support, namely stand mount, elevated console mount and wall mount. The elevated console mount incorporates a vertical spine to elevate the panel television above the console and an offset arm to support the television over an upper shelf of the console. A mounting structure is provided that can be attached to the spine or to a wall.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The instant application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/487,459, filed Jun. 4, 2012, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/316,792, filed Dec. 12, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,191,485 issued Jun. 5, 2012, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/860,271, filed Sep. 24, 2007, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,079,311, issued Dec. 20, 2011, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/890,828 filed Aug. 8, 2007, now abandoned. 
     The instant application is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/417,902, filed Apr. 3, 2009, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/135,888, filed May 24, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,530,538, issued May 12, 2009. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention is in the field of mounting systems for televisions to be wall-mounted or carried on a base (console). 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The introduction of so-called flat panel televisions has added additional complexity to the task of the purchaser to support the television on a suitable stand or to mount it from a wall or above a console. As used herein televisions should be understood to include monitors without tuners and televisions with built in tuners. Although referred to as flat panel televisions, many of these devices have substantial depth and may weigh up to 165 lbs. or more. Flat panel televisions (referred to herein as panel televisions) represent a substantial investment for the purchaser and therefore mounting them without damaging them during the installation or thereafter, is a major concern. 
     Panel television manufacturers normally make a bracket system to mount the panel television on a wall. However, purchasers may prefer to use a stand, or to position the panel television on a console. For that reason mounting systems are sold separately. This forces the panel television retailer to carry a large inventory of incompatible mounting systems, or to leave the consumer to purchase the mounting system directly from the manufacturer. A purchase direct from the manufacturer forces the consumer to wait for an extended period while the mounting system is shipped and leads to dissatisfaction with the retailer for not stocking the mounting system for the panel television purchased. 
     Prior art mounting systems also require a high degree of skill in mounting the system to the wall or other support and then securing the television on the mount. The resulting installation is likely (as a consequence of stud position) to be offset from the ideal position. Additionally the manufacture&#39;s system provides only one mode of mounting, such as wall mount or stand mount. 
     It is therefore desirable to have a universal television support and mounting kit that accommodates the principal varieties of televisions that have to be mounted, namely CRT type, and two panel types (plasma and LCD), in a single kit that allows the consumer to employ any of the three modes of support, namely stand mount, console mount and wall mount. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention resolves the deficiencies of prior art solutions by providing a kit that includes a plurality of components to accomplish all of the desired mounting configurations. The components are designed to be economical to manufacture and easy to assemble with common tools. By selective assembly of the provided components, the user can elect to support a wide range of televisions on a console, suspended above a support, or mounted to a wall. Kit components are designed to be used in as many of the different configurations as possible. 
     In a first exemplary embodiment, the kit incorporates components for a console with multiple shelves carried on shelf supports. A short spine is provided for use when the console is to be used to support a television on a stand on the upper shelf. The short spine has mounting openings that engage the shelf supports and extends between the floor, or lowest shelf support, to the upper most shelf support. A console with three shelves, and therefore three shelf supports, is described as exemplary. 
     In a first configuration, the short spine connects to the shelf supports to increase the weight carrying capacity of the shelves and transfer the weight to the floor. Using the short spine allows the user to assemble a console with an upper surface that can carry a conventional (CRT) television or a panel television with a stand. The spine is preferably of a rectangular hollow cross-section. The use of a rectangular configuration allows more of the spine to be in contact with the shelf supports than would a circular cross-section, for example. The spine has a plurality of openings in a rear surface thereof. Because the spine is hollow, these openings permit wires and cabling to be run internally between, for example, electronic equipment on the shelves and the panel television, thus preventing entanglement of the wires and cables and improving the finished appearance of the installation. The kit further includes a long spine, a horizontal offset support arm (offset arm) and a panel television mounting structure on the arm. 
     In another configuration, the long spine is utilized. Since it also attaches to the shelf supports, it provides for the transfer of loads carried on the shelves, but in addition extends above the console to provide an elevated support for a panel television. The offset arm extends horizontally forward (as mounted) to suspend the panel television over the console base and give the panel a floating appearance. The offset support incorporates an offset arm that carries a mounting structure. In one embodiment, the mounting structure has a spaced structural support with a hole pattern that provides mounting openings for mating the structure to the rear of a panel television. In the exemplary embodiment the mounting structure is in the form of a mounting plate but could be formed, for example, of spaced radial arms. Many panel televisions, especially LCD panel televisions contain hard points with threaded holes with standard spacing (the VESA standard). The mounting structure has openings matching the VESA standard so that the structure is easily bolted to the television to carry the television above the console. 
     Spacing the mounting structure and therefore the television forward of the spine, allows for the incorporation of pivoting and titling mechanisms in the offset arm. The offset arm incorporates mating tilting brackets that are hinged together at their upper ends and free for limited pivoting rotation at the lower ends. This allows the installed panel television to be aimed down to face the level at which the television will be viewed (such as at the level of facing chairs or other furniture). The tilting mechanism is locked in the selected position with fasteners at the lower end of the tilting brackets. The offset arm has a pivot mount at its outer end that cooperates with a pivot mount on the mounting structure to constrain a pivot pin. The pivot mounts collectively provide for pivoting the panel television about a substantially vertical axis so that the television can be turned to face the viewing area or to avoid glare. 
     Another component of the kit is a mounting frame. The mounting frame can accommodate a wide range of non-standard hole patterns. The frame is designed so that it can be used in conjunction with the offset arm on the upper end of the long spine, or for directly mounting a panel television to a wall. The mounting frame is useful for larger panel televisions and those which don&#39;t use a standard mounting hole pattern. These panel televisions may also be heavier and therefore, without special provisions, lifting and attaching the television to a mounting device would difficult or impossible for the average consumer. 
     The mounting frame incorporates two spaced channels, with U-shaped cross-section, that are oriented to be horizontal when mounted. The channels lie in a plane. The channels are formed with a center web and two sides arranged at right angles to the web. The webs have spaced holes along their length. At least one rail is carried on the frame. In the exemplary embodiment two rails are provided. The rails lie in a second plane spaced horizontally from the first plane. This spacing permits the panel television to be easily lifted and attached as will be described. The channels and rails are joined together in a unitary structure by vertical elements that extend between and are secured to the rails. In the exemplary embodiment the vertical elements and rails are comprised of rectangular tube stock which provides the necessary rigidity at low cost. 
     The connection of the panel television to the mounting frame is made through panel mounting brackets. These brackets are not interconnected so that they can be positioned anywhere along the back of the panel television to connect to the threaded holes in hard points on the back of the panel television. They can desirably be formed of stock similar to the channels and include parallel sides and a right angularly related connecting web. The web has multiple spaced holes along its length. The web is placed against the panel television and fasteners are passed through the holes to secure the brackets to the panel television. Each bracket includes at least one, and preferably, two rail engagement hooks. Where two hooks are employed, they are spaced the same distance apart as are the rails on the mounting frame. 
     For attachment of the mounting frame on an offset arm with a mounting plate fitted, the holes on the mounting plate are aligned with holes on the channels and then secured together with fasteners. Then the panel television, with the panel mounting brackets installed, is lifted into position. The hooks are received over the rails and the television lowered into position. The panel television is then free to pivot and tilt as in a VESA-standard mounted television. 
     The same mounting frame can be employed to wall-mount a panel television. In this configuration, the console is used in a standalone configuration beneath, or nearby, in conjunction with the wall mounted flat panel television. In a wall mount, the channels are secured to the wall. Normally, it is necessary to locate a pair of studs to insure that connection between the wall and frame is sufficiently strong to support the frame and panel television. Standard and non-standard stud spacing is accommodated because the channels extend across the full width of the frame and have multiple spaced holes. After the mounting frame is securely mounted to the wall through the frame channels, the panel television can be lifted so that the engagement hooks pass over the rails and then are lowered with the panel television to engage and be supported from the rails. The rails are longer than all but the largest televisions and therefore, the television may be moved horizontally on the rails to center it perfectly relative to, for example, a wall alcove. Stops prevent movement beyond the ends of the rails. 
     In both the wall-mount and offset arm mount of the mounting frame, the security of the connection between the panel television and mount structure is enhanced by a removable latch which is inserted through the vertical channel members above the hooks so that the hooks cannot be lifted off of the rails. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, the short spine and long spine are reconfigured into a two-part spine where the lower spine portion is always used as a structural component of the console in all of the configurations. The long spine is replaced with a shorter “spine extension” having a neck at the lower end which inserts into the upper end of the lower structural spine and extends above the upper surface of the upper shelf. 
     The invention as described has advantages for the consumer and the retailer. For the retailer, stocking the kit avoids having to stock multiple disparate kits, avoids creating a customer service burden and helps the consumer select the right kit, and avoids restocking costs when kits are returned. For the consumer, the kit satisfies the mounting requirements for virtually any television that the consumer might initially use it with, and any television that the consumer may acquire in the future. In a first configuration, the console may be assembled and used alone with a conventional CRT television, or with a panel mount on a stand. Then later when the consumer acquires a VESA standard LCD television, for example, the consumer can substitute the long spine and offset arm and suspend the panel television above the console for a second configuration. Should the consumer later prefer wall mounting, the mounting frame can be used to mount the television on a wall above the console. 
     The kit incorporates multi-purpose components to reduce the parts count. All components can be broken down to lie flat for shipping and storage in the minimum space. The kit provides for a floating appearance of the panel television above a console and this visual effect is enhanced by being able to hide the wires and cables within the support. Wall mounting is accomplished with minimum need to “work behind” the panel television because the panel television is merely lifted on the rails and supported without having to manipulate additional fasteners. The use of two engagement hooks on each bracket prevents the panel television from swinging from the upper rail before it is secured by other means. 
     Other objects, features and advantages of the invention shall become apparent as the description thereof proceeds when considered in connection with the accompanying illustrative drawings. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the drawings which illustrate the best modes presently contemplated for carrying out the present invention: 
         FIGS. 1A ,  1 B and  1 C illustrate different configurations of a first exemplary embodiment of a kit in accordance with the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view thereof showing the television support and mounting kit supporting a panel television above a console and utilizing the mounting frame mount on the offset arm; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view thereof showing the television support and mounting kit supporting a television above a console utilizing the mounting plate and offset arm; 
         FIG. 4  shows the console structure with short spine and shelf supports in place; 
         FIG. 5  is a collective figure showing the primary structural components of the kit; 
         FIG. 6  is a front perspective view thereof showing of the television support with the mounting frame configured for mounting a panel television with a non-standard hole pattern above a console; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view showing the mounting frame in position to be secured a wall; 
         FIG. 8  is a rear perspective view of the offset arm with tilting and pivoting features in position for use on a frame mount; 
         FIG. 9  is a side elevational view of the pivot bearing and tilt mechanism; 
         FIG. 9A  is a top plan view of the pivot bearing and tilt mechanism; 
         FIG. 10  is a detail view showing one of the panel brackets and the associated engagement hooks; 
         FIG. 11  is a front perspective view of an alternative configuration for mounting frame with panel brackets which accommodate a titling mechanism; 
         FIG. 11A  is a rear perspective of the configuration of  FIG. 11 , showing an non-tilting pivot bearing; 
         FIG. 12  is a side elevation view of the tilting mechanism for use with the mounting frame; 
         FIGS. 13A ,  13 B,  13 C illustrate the different configurations of a second exemplary embodiment of a kit in accordance with the invention; 
         FIG. 14  is a collective figure showing the primary structural components thereof; 
         FIG. 15  is a front perspective view of the console with the structural spine attached to the back side; 
         FIG. 16  is a rear perspective view of the console showing attachment of the spine extension to the upper end of the structural spine; 
         FIG. 17  is an enlarged rear perspective view showing attachment of the pivoting mounting assembly to the upper end of the spine extension; 
         FIG. 18  is a rear perspective view thereof showing attachment of the mounting frame to the mounting assembly; and 
         FIG. 19  is a rear perspective view thereof showing attachment of the television to the mounting frame. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     A first exemplary embodiment of the television support and mounting kit is illustrated and generally indicated at  5  in  FIGS. 1-12 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1A ,  1 B and  1 C, the kit  5  is shown assembled into its three different configurations. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , there is illustrated a console base  10  carrying a panel television  12  using a mounting frame  14  connection to the panel television through panel brackets  15  and  18 . The panel brackets incorporate rail engagement hooks  110 . When supporting the panel television  12 , the hooks  110  are received over rails  74  and  76 . Limited left and right movement of the panel television on the mounting frame  14  is possible until the hooks engage the stops  113 . The mounting frame  14  is carried by the offset arm  21  through a mounting structure which includes mounting plate  16  and pivot bearing  19 . The mounting plate  16  is connected by the pivot bearing  19  and the offset arm  21  to the long spine  22 . 
     Spine  22 , in combination with the side panels  48  and  50 , supports the television  12  and the shelf supports  24 ,  26  and  28  (partially visible). The shelf supports, in turn, carry the shelves  30 ,  32  and  34 . The spine  22  contains wire and cable openings  36 ,  38 ,  40  and  42 . 
       FIG. 3  shows the same console base  10 , supporting panel television  44  that has four standard hard points with threaded bores  46 . These bores match up with a set of four holes on the plate  16  so that the panel television  44  is supported directly from the plate  16  by inserting fasteners  47  into the bores  46 . 
     The VESA Standard currently calls for all LCD panel televisions to have at least four hard points and threaded holes positioned at the corners of a rectangular shape with distances between the holes being: 
     75 mm×75 mm 
     100 mm×100 mm 
     200 mm×100 mm 
     200 mm×200 mm 
     400 mm×200 mm 
     The plate  16  has holes to accommodate LCD televisions with all of these hole patterns. 
       FIG. 4  shows the details of the structure for the console  10 , which incorporates side panels  48  and  50 . The upper members  52  of the side panels support the upper shelf supports  24  and  26 . The lower members  58  of the side panels support the console from the floor and support the lowermost shelf support  28 . The illustrated console is shown assembled with the short spine  62  which is bolted to the shelf supports  24 ,  26  and  28  and so cooperates with the side panels  48  and  50  to support weight carried on the upper shelves to the lower shelf support  28  and the floor on which the console rests. 
       FIG. 5  shows the primary structural components of the first embodiment of the kit including the short spine  62  and long spine  22 . As will appear, the spines  22 ,  62  each have a series of spaced fastener openings  64  which permit the spines  22 ,  62  to be secured to the shelf supports  24 ,  26 ,  28  and a series of spaced shelf slits  66  which accommodate that portion of the shelves  30 ,  32 ,  34  that overlie the shelf supports. The side panels  50  and  52  are part of the kit as are the shelves  30 ,  32  and  34 . A single shelf support  28  is representative of the three shelf supports in the full kit. The offset mount  20  is included. The illustrated offset mount  20  is one without the tilt mechanism but includes the mounting plate  16 , the pivot bearing  19  and the offset arm  21 , with vertical flanges  70  and horizontal flanges  72  for connection to the long spine  22 . 
     A panel bracket  15  with engagement hooks  110  is representative of the two brackets that are part of the kit. The mounting frame  14  is included for mounting larger televisions, televisions with non-standard hole patterns and for wall mounting. 
     The kit may alternatively or additionally include a tilting offset mount and/or a mounting frame that includes panel brackets  15 ,  18  with a tilting mechanism, which will be described hereinbelow. 
       FIG. 6  is a front view of a console assembled with long spine  22 . The installation is shown configured for use with a panel television to be carried on mounting frame  14 . The panel brackets  15  and  18  are shown in position over, and carried by, the rails  74  and  76  of the mounting frame  14 . The panel television ( 12  or  44 ), which would be attached to the brackets  15  and  18  is not shown for clarity. 
       FIG. 7  shows the details of the mounting frame  14 . The rails  74  and  76  are of square tubular stock and are interconnected by frame elements  78 ,  80  and  82  also of tubular stock. The rails and frame elements are desirably joined by welding to eliminate the need for the consumer to assemble them. A frame produced using tubular stock is as stiff as a continuous formed plate of the same size, but much less expensive to produce. Open face channels  84  and  86  bridge behind the rails and frame elements and have a series of openings of which holes  88  are representative. The open face of the channels is presented forwardly so that the consumer has access to insert and tighten lag bolts  77  that penetrate into the studs  87 A or other solid structure of the wall  87 . The holes  88  are elongated so that the lag bolts can be precisely aligned with the studs. These same channels are used to secure the frame mount  14  to the mounting plate  16  of the gooseneck mount  20  (see  FIG. 2 ). A locking bar  89  is shown partially inserted in holes  91 . The bar is fully inserted after a panel television and brackets is received over the rails  74  and  76 . The locking bar  89  prevents the panel television from being lifted or jarred off of the rails (see  FIG. 8 ). 
       FIG. 8  is a detailed view of the offset mount with the details of the tilt mount illustrated. The offset arm  21  is shown secured to the spine  22  by the flanges  70  and supports the pivot bearing  19 . The pivot bearing  19  is made of a pivot pin  103  fixedly attached to the holder  90 . The pivot pin is  103  received in a bearing receptacle  92 . Tilt brackets  94  and  96  have overlapping flanges  102  and  104  and are hinged together at their upper ends by a horizontal hinge pin  98  received through the flanges  102 ,  104 . The amount of pivoting is selected by rotating the hinge shaft  100  to frictionally hold the brackets in a fixed relative position as will appear in greater detail by an examination of  FIG. 9 . 
       FIG. 9  shows the bracket flanges  102  and  104  which cooperate with slot  106  and hinge shaft  100  to limit the total range of tilting to a safe amount so that if the panel television moves the mount under the force of gravity and with insufficient friction developed by the shaft  100 , then the total titling movement will be limited to an amount such that the television won&#39;t contact the spine or the wall  87 . 
       FIG. 9A  is a top view of the offset mount  20  and shows the pin  103  in the holder  90 . 
       FIG. 10  shows an exemplary panel bracket  15 . The panel bracket  15  has a series of holes  111  which allow it to adapt to virtually any hole spacing on a panel television. The mounting is accomplished through a spacer  108  selected for proper length, such as spacer  108  to insure that the rear of the panel television (such as a television with a curved back) doesn&#39;t interfere with the rails and engagement hooks  110 , when the panel television is placed over the rails on the mounting frame  14 . 
       FIGS. 11 and 11A , show an alternative version of the mounting frame  14  which includes tilting panel brackets  128  for mounting to the rear of a panel television. A rail hook flange  134  has hooks  135  received over the rails  74  and  76 . The hook flange  134  has right angular related sides  136  with an arcuate slot  138 . A panel television is carried on brackets  132 . A handle  140  is inserted through slot  138  in flange  136  and is threaded into the bracket  132 . When the handle  140  is tightened, the handle  140  bears up against the flange  136  and frictionally engages it so that the brackets  132  are held in a desired angular relationship to the frame. As will appear the tilt brackets may be used on a long spine  22  and offset arm  21 . The tilt brackets also function when the mounting frame is mounted on a wall  87 . 
       FIG. 12  shows the details of the tilting brackets of  FIGS. 11 and 11A . The slot  138  accommodates bolts  150  with carry a guide  151 . The bolts  150  and a third bolt  152  are received in the bracket  128 . They act as stops for the tilting movement of a panel television carried on the brackets  132  so that the range of travel does not exceed a safe amount. The selected angle is locked in by operating of the handle  140  which frictionally engages the hook flange  136  and draws the bracket  132  into frictional engagement with the hook flange. 
     A second exemplary embodiment of the television support and mounting kit is illustrated and generally indicated at  200  in  FIGS. 13-19 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 13A ,  13 B and  13 C, the kit  200  is shown assembled into its three different configurations for supporting a panel television  201 . 
       FIG. 14  shows the primary structural components of the second kit embodiment including upper, middle and lower shelf supports  202 ,  204  and  206 , upper, middle and lower shelves  208 ,  210 , and  212 , left and right side panels  214 ,  216 , a lower structural spine portion  218 , an upper spine extension portion  220 , a mounting frame  222 , panel brackets  224 ,  226  and a mounting assembly  228 . 
     The primary differences between the first embodiment  5  and the second embodiment  200  are the spine configuration and the mounting assembly. Rather than a short spine  62  and a long spine  22 , this second embodiment  200  provides a spine structure where the lower structural spine portion  218  is used in all of the different configurations, and the upper spine extension portion  220  is used when supporting the television  201  above the console  230 . The mounting assembly  228  looks slightly different but still includes a cantilever, or offset arm  232 , a mounting plate  234  and a pivot mechanism  236  connecting the offset arm  232  and mounting plate  234 . 
     Turning to  FIG. 15 , the console  230  is assembled with the upper, middle and lower shelf supports  202 ,  204 ,  206  attached to the left and right side panels  214 ,  216 . The structural spine  218  is attached to the upper, middle and lower shelf supports  202 ,  204 ,  206  on the back side of the console  230  with the upper end  238  thereof terminating adjacent to the upper shelf support  202 . The shelves  208 ,  210 ,  212  are then seated on top of the shelf supports  202 ,  204 ,  206  to complete the console  230 . This assembly is used in the first configuration ( FIG. 13A ) where a panel television  201  is supported on the upper shelf  208 . This assembly is also used in the second configuration ( FIG. 13B ) where the panel television  201  is mounted on the wall, and the console  230  is used in conjunction with the wall mounted television  201 . 
     Turning to  FIG. 16 , the upper spine extension  220  has a lower end  240  which is configured and arranged for attachment to the upper end  238  of the structural spine  218 . In the exemplary embodiment, the lower end  240  of the spine extension  220  includes a reduced dimension neck portion  242  which is received within the upper end  238  of the structural spine  220 . The spine extension  220  is attached using a plurality of fasteners  244 . When attached, the spine extension  220  extends upwardly above the upper surface of the upper shelf  208  terminating in an upper end  246  which provides an elevated support for the flat panel television  201 . 
     Turning to  FIG. 17 , the mounting assembly  228  is attached to the upper end  246  of the spine extension  220  with a plurality of fasteners  248 . As indicated above, the mounting assembly  228  includes an offset arm portion  232  which moves the pivot point of the assembly forward from the spine extension  220  to float the panel television  201  above the upper shelf  208 . 
     Moving on to  FIGS. 18 and 19 , the back side of the mounting frame  222  is secured to the front side of the mounting plate  234  of the mounting assembly  228  to complete the console configuration. The panel brackets  224 ,  226  are secured to the rear of the panel television  201  and the hooks of the panel brackets  224 ,  226  are received over the spaced rails of the mounting frame  222  to complete the third configuration. 
     To complete the second configuration, the mounting frame  222  is also configured to be attached to a wall (as shown in  FIG. 7 ). The panel brackets  224 ,  226  are secured to the rear of the panel television  201  and the hooks of the panel brackets  224 ,  226  are received over the spaced rails of the mounting frame  222  to complete the wall mount configuration. 
     The invention has been described in conjunction with an exemplary embodiment for clarity and enablement, however the scope of the invention should be limited only by the appended claims.