Patent Publication Number: US-11653762-B2

Title: Television mount concealer assembly

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     As televisions have reduced in weight and depth, consumers have increasingly started to mount their televisions on walls. For example, a television can be attached to a television mount, and the television mount can be attached to a wall. Television cables can be routed from the television to a hole in the wall that is near the television mount. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Many aspects of the present disclosure can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, with emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the disclosure. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views. 
         FIG.  1 A  is a perspective view of a television and a television mount attached to a wall, according to one embodiment described herein. 
         FIG.  1 B  is a perspective view of an adjustable concealer assembly placed on the television mount from  FIG.  1 A , according to one embodiment described herein. 
         FIGS.  2 A and  2 B  illustrate perspective views of the adjustable concealer assembly from  FIG.  1 B , according to one embodiment described herein. 
         FIGS.  3 A and  3 B  illustrate enlarged views of aspects of the adjustable concealer assembly from  FIGS.  2 A and  2 B , according to one embodiment described herein. 
         FIG.  4    illustrates a contracted state for the adjustable concealer assembly from  FIGS.  2 A and  2 B , according to one embodiment described herein. 
         FIG.  5    is a flowchart illustrating one example of the operation of the adjustable concealer assembly according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a television mount concealer assembly and methods of operating the television mount concealer assembly. Overtime, televisions have reduced in weight and depth substantially. The size reduction has enabled televisions to be mounted on walls in order to save space or to eliminate the need for a television stand. Thus, the television can be attached to a television mount, and the television mount can be attached to a wall. The television mount assemblies can be configured in a variety of manners. The television mount assemblies are built to certain dimensions in order to adequately support a television of a certain size. As a result, the television mount assemblies often times protrude a noticeable distance from the wall, which in turn causes a gap between the television and the wall. The gap can be problematic because it exposes television cables and the television mount assembly from side vantage points of the television. Accordingly, these components can be unsightly, especially in small rooms or areas that have a television mounted on a wall. 
     Accordingly, the embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a television mount concealer assembly that is configured to conceal television cables, television mounting assembly components, a hole in the wall for the television cables, and other aspects associated with a wall-mounted television. Additionally, the embodiments of the television mount concealer assembly can include aesthetic components, such as lighting devices, logos, design patterns, and other components that may enhance the aesthetics of a room or an area. 
     With reference to  FIG.  1 A  and  FIG.  1 B , shown are perspective views of components of a television mount concealer assembly  100 .  FIG.  1 A  illustrates a perspective view of a television and a television mount  103  attached to a wall.  FIG.  1 B  illustrates a perspective view of a television mount concealer assembly  100 , in which the television mount  103  is concealed from view. The television mount concealer assembly  100  can include a television mount  103  and an adjustable concealer assembly  106 . 
       FIG.  1 A  illustrates that the television mount  103  is attached to a television and television cables are routed from the television to multiple ports or holes in the wall.  FIG.  1 A  also illustrates a gap  109  from the television to the wall. The gap  109  can be a result of one or more dimensions of the television mount  103 . For example, the television mount  103  can have a particular depth from the wall to one or more attachment points to the television. As a result, the television has a noticeable gap  109  behind it, in which the television mount  103 , the television cables, and other components are viewable from side vantage points. In some spaces, the gap  109  may be unappealing because it exposes the components behind the television. 
       FIG.  1 B  illustrates the adjustable concealer assembly  106  in an expanded state in order to conceal the television mount  103  and the television cables. The adjustable concealer assembly  106  can also include a placement holder  112  on a side of the adjustable concealer assembly  106 . The placement holder  112  can be used to attach aesthetic components, such as a logo, an advertisement, a lighting device, and other suitable items. In some examples, the placement holder  112  may include clips, brackets, and other suitable mechanical fastening components. 
     The adjustable concealer assembly  106  has a length “L” that is adjustable. In some examples, the length “L” can represent a distance from the wall to a back of the television because a front portion of the adjustable concealer assembly  106  is adjacent to a back of the television and a second portion of the adjustable concealer assembly  106  is adjacent to the wall. The length “L” of the adjustable concealer assembly  106  can be manipulated before or after placement of the adjustable concealer assembly  106  on the television mount  103 . 
     With reference to  FIGS.  2 A and  2 B , shown are perspective views of the adjustable concealer assembly  106  in an expanded state.  FIG.  2 A  illustrates a bottom-up perspective view of the adjustable concealer assembly  106 , and  FIG.  2 B  illustrates a top-down perspective view of the adjustable concealer assembly  106 . 
     The adjustable concealer assembly  106  includes a front panel  115 , a rear panel  118 , a first flexible sidewall  121   a , a second flexible sidewall  121   b , a first tab  124   a , a second tab  124   b , and other suitable components. The front panel  115  can be attached to the first flexible sidewall  121   a  and the second flexible sidewall  121   b  (collectively “the flexible sidewalls  121 ”). The first tab  124   a  can be attached to the front panel  115 , and the second tab  124   b  can be attached to the rear panel  118 . 
     The adjustable concealer assembly  106  can also include a first interior flexible sidewall  136   a , a second interior flexible sidewall  136   b , a top flexible wall  139 , and a bottom flexible wall  142 . The first interior flexible sidewall  136   a  and the second interior flexible sidewall  136   b  (collectively “the interior flexible sidewalls  136 ”) can be attached to the front panel  115  and the rear panel  118 . The interior flexible sidewalls  136  can expand and contract as the front panel  115  and/or the rear panel  118  are moved toward or away from each other. 
     Top flexible wall  139  and the bottom flexible wall  142  can be attached to the front panel  115  and the rear panel  118 . The top flexible wall  139  and the bottom flexible wall  142  can expand and contract as the front panel  115  and/or the rear panel  118  are moved toward or away from each other. 
     In some embodiments, the front panel  115  and the rear panel  118  can be rigid members that include a horizontal member  127  that has a first end and a second end. The front panel  115  and the rear panel  118  can also include a first vertical member  130   a  that extends from the first end of the horizontal member  127 , and a second vertical member  130   b  that extends from the second end of the horizontal member  127 . In some embodiments, the rear panel  118  can be a ridge member that matches the shape of the front panel  115 , as shown in  FIGS.  2 A and  2 B . Additionally, the front panel  115  and the rear panel  118  can be comprised of plastic, wood, metal, and other suitable materials. 
     The adjustable concealer assembly  106  can include a slot  133  that is formed from one or both of the front panel  115  and/or the rear panel  118 . In some examples, the slot has a U-shape. The slot  133  can be configured to receive the television mount  103 . As shown in  FIGS.  2 A and  2 B , the slot  133  can be formed by multiple components of the adjustable concealer assembly  106 , such as the interior flexible sidewall  136  and the bottom flexible wall  142 . Further,  FIGS.  2 A and  2 B  illustrate that there are four adjustable rod assemblies  145  along the perimeter of the slot  133 . As illustrated, the slot  133  has a recessed rectangular shape. It should be appreciated that the shape of the slot  133  can vary. 
     The flexible sidewalls  121 , the interior flexible sidewalls  136 , the top flexible wall  139 , and the bottom flexible wall  142  can expand and contract. The flexible sidewalls  121 , the interior flexible sidewalls  136 , the top flexible wall  139 , and the bottom flexible wall  142  can comprise of a stretchable microfiber material, such as polyester, polyamides, polypropylene, different combinations of these materials, and other suitable stretchable materials. The flexible sidewalls  121 , the interior flexible sidewalls  136 , the top flexible wall  139 , and the bottom flexible wall  142  can be configured in a corrugated flexible surface ( FIG.  4   ) that enables for a wall to collapse in an orderly manner. In some instances, the corrugated flexible surface can prevent the walls for unintentionally attaching to other components. Further, the flexible sidewalls  121 , the interior flexible sidewalls  136 , the top flexible wall  139 , and the bottom flexible wall  142  can include lighting devices for creating different lighting effects from behind the television. 
     The adjustable concealer assembly  106  can include a plurality of adjustable rod assemblies  145  located at various locations. For example, in  FIGS.  2 A and  2 B , the adjustable rod assemblies  145  are located near a corner area of the adjustable concealer assembly  106 . It should be appreciated that the location and the quantity of adjustable rob assemblies  145  can vary. 
     The tabs  124  can be configured to be attached to the wall and/or the back of a television. For example, the first tab  124   a  can be attached to the back of the television, and the second tab  124   b  can be attached to the wall which has the television mount  103 . As illustrated, the tabs  124  can include an aperture  147   a ,  147   b  for receiving a fastener. For example, a nail can be inserted through aperture  147   b  in order to attach the second tab  124   b  to the wall. In some instances, the tabs  124  can include an adhesive layer for attaching to a wall or a back of a television. The tabs  124  can also include a fastener, such as a clip, a bracket, or other suitable components for attaching the adjustable concealer assembly  106  to the television, the wall, the television mount  103 , or other components. 
     Additionally,  FIGS.  2 A and  2 B  illustrate the adjustable concealer assembly  106  in an expanded state. In the expanded state, the adjustable concealer assembly  106  has a top length “TL” that is greater than a bottom length “BL.” As a result, in some cases, the front panel  115  or the rear panel  118  may be positioned at an angle, as shown in  FIG.  1 B . In some instances, both the front panel  115  and the rear panel  118  are angled or slanted toward each other at the bottom of the adjustable concealer assembly  106 . Further,  FIG.  2 B  illustrates that the adjustable concealer assembly  106  has a recessed width “RW” that is larger than a member width “MW.” The recessed width “RW” is the width of the slot  133 . The member width “MW” is a width of the first vertical member  130   a  and/or the second vertical member  130   b.    
     In some embodiments, the top length “TL” can be in a range of two inches to ten inches, and the bottom length “BL” can be in a range of 0.1 inches to five inches. The member width “MW can be in a range of three inches to ten inches, and the recessed width “RW” can be in a range of ten inches to thirty inches. For example, one embodiment can include a member width “MW” of five inches, and a recessed width “RW” of twenty inches. Additionally, the top length “TL” can be six inches, and the bottom length “BL” can be one inch. 
     With reference to  FIGS.  3 A and  3 B , shown are different aspects of a corner area of the adjustable concealer assembly  106  with some aspects omitted from view. For example,  FIG.  3 A  illustrates the adjustable rod assembly  145  with the front panel  115  and the rear panel  118 , in which the top flexible wall  139  and the first flexible sidewall  121   a  are omitted. Although the adjustable rod assembly  145  is illustrated in a corner of the adjustable concealer assembly  106 , the location of the adjustable rod assembly  145  can vary. For instance, the adjustable rod assembly  145  can be positioned at various locations along the perimeter of the front panel  115  and the rear panel  118 . Additionally, in some embodiments, the adjustable rod  148  can have an adjustable length that may range from 0.2 inches to fifteen inches. For example, the adjustable length may be collapsed to one half an inch in width when the adjustable concealer assembly  106  is in a collapsed state. In an expanded state, the adjustable rod  148  can extend its length to a maximum length of eight inches. Further, in some embodiments, the adjustable rod assemblies  145  at the bottom of the adjustable concealer assembly  106  may have a maximum length that is smaller than the adjustable rod assemblies  145  located at the top of the adjustable concealer assembly  106 . 
     The adjustable rod assembly  145  includes an adjustable rod  148 , a first cap  151   a , a second cap  151   b , and other suitable components. The adjustable rod  148  can expand and contract its length. The adjustability in length of the adjustable rod  148  can be used to expand and contract the adjustable concealer assembly  106 . In some embodiments, the adjustable rod  148  can be a telescopic rod that can contract into or expand from a cylindrical exterior structure. In another embodiments, the adjustable rod  148  can include a spring for expanding and contracting its length. 
     The first cap  151   a  and the second cap  151   b  (collectively “the caps  151 ”) can be configured to cover to the ends of the adjustable rod  148 . As illustrated in  FIG.  3 A , the adjustable rod  148  has openings on each of its end. The caps  151  can be inserted into through apertures in the front panel  115  and the rear panel  118  and into the ends of the adjustable rod  148 . In some embodiments, the caps  151  may be omitted or the caps  151  may be an integrated component of the adjustable rod  148 . When inserted, the top surface of the caps  151  can be in alignment with the front panel  115  and the rear panel  118 . In some examples, the caps  151  are attached to the front panel  115  and the rear panel  118 . 
       FIG.  3 B  illustrates the top flexible wall  139  and first flexible sidewall  121   a  of the adjustable concealer assembly  106 , in which the front panel  115  and the caps  151  are omitted from view. The top flexible wall  139  and the first flexible sidewall  121   a  are attached to a sleeve  154 . The sleeve  154  can extends from the front panel  115  to the rear panel  118 . The sleeve  154  is configured to receive the adjustable rod  148  in its interior. The adjustable concealer assembly  106  can have multiple sleeves  154  along its perimeter for containing the multiple adjustable rods  148 . According, the components in  FIGS.  3 A and  3 B  are reflected in the adjustable concealer assembly  106  of  FIGS.  2 A and  2 B . 
     Next,  FIG.  4    illustrates the adjustable concealer assembly  106  transitioning from an expanded state to a collapsed state, as indicated by reference arrow  157 .  FIG.  4    could also represent the adjustable concealer assembly  106  transitioning from the collapsed state to the expanded state, in which is shown in  FIGS.  2 A and  2 B . The adjustable concealer assembly  106  can expand and contract by manipulating components of the adjustable rod assemblies  145 . For example, the adjustable rod  148  can be manipulated to expand or contract its length. 
     According to some embodiments, the front panel  115  can be pushed toward the rear panel  118 . The adjustable rods  148  can contract as the front panel  115  is pushed toward the rear panel  118 , as such the length of the adjustable rods  148  are reduced. Alternatively, the front panel  115  can be pulled or moved away from the rear panel  118  in order to expand the adjustable concealer assembly  106 . Thus, the adjustable rods  148  can expand in length as the front panel  115  is pulled away from the rear panel  118 . 
     As the adjustable concealer assembly  106  collapses, the flexible sidewalls  121 , the interior flexible sidewalls  136 , the bottom flexible wall  142 , and the top flexible wall  139  contract. In some embodiments, as shown in  FIG.  4   , the flexible sidewalls  121 , the interior flexible sidewalls  136 , the bottom flexible wall  142 , and the top flexible wall  139  can collapse in a folded manner because the walls may be constructed as corrugated walls. As such, the flexible sidewalls  121 , the interior flexible sidewalls  136 , the bottom flexible wall  142 , and the top flexible wall  139  can collapse in a tight and organized arrangement. 
     Referring next to  FIG.  5   , shown is a flowchart that provides one example process  500  for operating the adjustable concealer assembly  106 , according to various embodiments. It is understood that the flowchart of  FIG.  5    provides merely an example of the many different types of functional arrangements that may be employed to operate the adjustable concealer assembly  106  as described herein. 
     Beginning with box  501 , the process  500  can include providing an adjustable concealer assembly  106  for concealing a television mount  103  that is attached to a wall. The adjustable concealer assembly  106  comprises a front panel  115 , a rear panel  118 , a first flexible sidewall  121   a  and a second flexible sidewall  121   b . The front panel  115  and the rear panel  118  can be constructed with a slot  133  for receiving the television mount  103 . 
     In box  503 , the process  500  can involve positioning the television mount  103  in the slot  133  of the adjustable concealer assembly  106 . The bottom flexible wall  142  can contact a top portion of the television mount  103 . In some cases, the bottom flexible wall  142  can be attached to the television mount  103 . For example, the bottom flexible wall  142  can have one or more recessed areas for receiving a protruding portion of the television mount  103 . In other cases, the bottom flexible wall  142  can have one or more adhesive layers for attaching to the television mount  103 . 
     In box  506 , the process  500  can involve expanding the adjustable concealer assembly  106  by moving the front panel  115  away from the rear panel  118 . The front panel  115  can be moved to different positions in order to expand the adjustable concealer assembly  106 . In some examples, the front panel  115  may have a first position, in which the adjustable concealer assembly  106  is in a collapsed or contracted state. The front panel  115  can be moved to a second position, in which the adjustable concealer assembly  106  is an expanded state. 
     In some examples, the adjustable concealer assembly  106  can be placed in one of multiple positions between a fully expanded position and a fully collapsed position. For example, the adjustable rods  148  can have preset positions between the fully expanded position and the fully collapsed position. The adjustable rods  148  can slide into and out of one of the preset positions. 
     In box  509 , the process  500  can involve attaching the adjustable concealer assembly  106  to the surrounding environment. In some examples, the adjustable concealer assembly  106  can be attached to the wall and/or the television. For example, the rear panel  118  can be attached to the wall in which the television mount  103  is attached. The second tab  124   b  may be attached to the wall by inserting a fastener (e.g., a screw, a nail, etc.) through an aperture  147   b  and inserting the fastener into the wall. In another example, the second tab  124   b  can have an adhesive layer for attaching to the wall. 
     Additionally, the first tab  124   a  can be attached to the back of the television. For example, the first tab  124   a  can have an adhesive layer for attaching to the back of the television. In other examples, the first tab  124   a  can have a clip, a hook, and other suitable fasteners for attaching the first tab  124   a  to a portion of the television. 
     In box  512 , the process  500  can involve collapsing the adjustable concealer assembly  106 . In some cases, the adjustable concealer assembly  106  may need to be unattached from a wall, a television, a television mount  103 , or some other structure. After the adjustable concealer assembly  106  is unattached, the front panel  115  and the rear panel  118  can be moved toward each other. As such, the length of the adjustable rods  148  can decrease in order to collapse the adjustable concealer assembly  106 . The adjustable concealer assembly  106  can be removed from the television mount  103 . Then, the process  500  proceeds to the end. 
     Disjunctive language such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y, or Z,” unless specifically stated otherwise, is otherwise understood with the context as used in general to present that an item, term, etc., may be either X, Y, or Z, or any combination thereof (e.g., X, Y, and/or Z). Thus, such disjunctive language is not generally intended to, and should not, imply that certain embodiments require at least one of X, at least one of Y, or at least one of Z to each be present. 
     It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of the present disclosure are merely possible examples of implementations set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the disclosure. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiment(s) without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the disclosure. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and protected by the following claims.