Patent Publication Number: US-2023160524-A1

Title: Television support tilt mechanism

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 17/838,431, filed on Jun. 13, 2022, which application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/984,404, filed on Aug. 4, 2020, which application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. Design patent application Ser. Nos. 29/740,167 and 29/740,169, both filed on Jul. 1, 2020, each of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Tilting television wall mounts are generally known in the art. For example, US Publication No. 2008/0283694 (which publication is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety) describes a display wall mount with a wall bracket configured to couple to a wall and having a first wall bracket edge, a display bracket configured to couple to the display and having a first display bracket edge, and a curvilinear bar moveably coupled between the first wall bracket edge and the first display bracket edge, where the display bracket is moveably coupled to the wall bracket. 
     SUMMARY 
     An example electronic device mounting apparatus includes a head portion configured for attachment to an electronic device, an undercarriage portion configured for attachment to a wall, and a telescopic portion comprising a first member, a second member, and a locking mechanism. A first end of the head portion is rotatably attached to a first end of the undercarriage portion and a second end of the undercarriage portion is rotatably attached to a first end of the telescopic portion on the first member. A second end of the head portion is rotatably attached to a second end of the telescopic portion on the second member. The first and second members of the telescopic portion are configured to telescopically slide with respect to one another. The locking mechanism is configured to lock the first and second members of the telescopic portion into a plurality of different positions with respect to one another. The head portion and the undercarriage portion are configured to form different angles based on which of the plurality of different positions the telescopic portion is locked into. 
     An example apparatus includes a head portion, an undercarriage portion, and a telescopic portion configured to adjustably move into a plurality of different lengths. A first end of the head portion is rotatably attached to a first end of the undercarriage portion and a second end of the undercarriage portion is rotatably attached to a first end of the telescopic portion. A second end of the head portion is rotatably attached to a second end of the telescopic portion. In a first position, the telescopic portion has a first length of the plurality of different lengths and the head portion and the undercarriage portion form a first angle. In a second position, the telescopic portion has a second length of the plurality of different lengths and the head portion and the undercarriage portion form a second angle different from the first angle. 
     An example electronic device mounting system includes a head portion attached to an electronic device, an undercarriage portion mounted to a wall, and a telescopic portion configured to adjustably move the head portion and the electronic device into a plurality of different positions. The plurality of different positions comprises at least a first position and a second position. Movement of the telescopic portion adjusts an angle of a display of the electronic device with respect to the wall. The telescopic portion includes a locking mechanism configured to permit movement of the head portion from the first position to the second position without manual actuation of the locking mechanism. The locking mechanism is further configured to permit movement of the telescopic portion from the second position only upon manual actuation of the locking mechanism. 
     A better understanding of the objects, advantages, features, properties and relationships of the hereinafter disclosed television support tilt mechanisms will be obtained from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings which set forth illustrative examples and which are indicative of the various ways in which the principles of the described television support tilt mechanisms may be employed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The features, advantages, and objects of the subject disclosure will become more apparent from the detailed description as set forth below, when taken in conjunction with the drawings in which like referenced characters identify correspondingly throughout, and wherein: 
         FIG.  1    is a top, front perspective view of a first embodiment of a television support tilt mechanism; 
         FIG.  2    is a top, rear perspective view thereof; 
         FIG.  3    is a right side elevational view thereof; 
         FIG.  4    is a front side elevational view thereof; 
         FIG.  5    is a back side elevational view thereof; 
         FIG.  6    is a right side elevational view thereof in a tilted position; 
         FIG.  7    is a left side elevational view thereof in a tilted position; 
         FIG.  8    is a top, front perspective view of a telescopic portion thereof in a retracted position; 
         FIG.  9    is a top, front perspective view of the telescopic portion thereof in an extended position; 
         FIG.  10    is a front side elevational view of the telescopic portion thereof in the retracted position; 
         FIG.  11    is a front side elevational view of the telescopic portion thereof in the extended position; 
         FIG.  12    is a rear side elevational view of the telescopic portion thereof in the retracted position; 
         FIG.  13    is a rear side elevational view of the telescopic portion thereof in the extended position; 
         FIG.  14    is a right side elevational view of the telescopic portion thereof in the retracted position; 
         FIG.  15    is a right side elevational view of the telescopic portion thereof in the extended position; 
         FIG.  16    is a top, rear perspective view of a second embodiment of a television support tilt mechanism; 
         FIG.  17    is a top, front perspective view thereof; 
         FIG.  18    is rear side elevational view thereof; 
         FIG.  19    is a front side elevational view thereof; 
         FIG.  20    is a left side elevational view thereof; 
         FIG.  21    is a right side elevational view thereof; 
         FIG.  22    is a top plan view thereof; 
         FIG.  23    is a bottom plan view thereof; 
         FIG.  24    is a top, front perspective view thereof in a tilted position; 
         FIG.  25    is a top, front perspective view of a telescopic portion thereof in a retracted position; 
         FIG.  26    is rear side elevational view of the telescopic portion thereof; 
         FIG.  27    is a front side elevational view of the telescopic portion thereof; 
         FIG.  28    is a right side elevational view of the telescopic portion thereof; 
         FIG.  29    is a left side elevational view of the telescopic portion thereof; 
         FIG.  30    is a top plan view of the telescopic portion thereof; 
         FIG.  31    is a bottom plan view of the telescopic portion thereof; and 
         FIG.  32    is a top, front perspective view of the telescopic portion thereof in an extended position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Disclosed herein are various embodiments of a tilting support mechanism for electronic devices, such as a television, computer monitor, etc. Because electronic devices such as televisions, computer monitors, etc. typically have displays, it is desirable for any mounting hardware or supports for those electronic devices to be adjustable. In this way, a user may adjust the positioning of the electronic device without removing the electronic device from its mounting hardware and/or supports. 
     In particular, disclosed herein are embodiments for a support mechanism for electronic devices that enables easy tilting of an electronic device that is mounted to a wall (either directly or via separate wall mount hardware) or mounted to some other structure than a wall. Advantageously, the embodiments disclosed herein provide for the electronic device to be tilted to multiple different tilt angles, while also providing a locking mechanism that securely locks the electronic device into each one of those multiple different tilt angles. Additionally, as described further herein, the locking mechanism includes a ratcheting mechanism that allows for manual adjustment of the tilt of the electronic device in a first direction (e.g., reducing the tilt angle of the electronic device) without specifically actuating the locking mechanism, while permitting adjustment of the tilt of the electronic device in a second direction (e.g., increasing the tilt angle of the electronic device) by actuating (e.g., unlocking) the locking mechanism. Such features provide for an improved tilting mechanism that is simple for a user to adjust the tilt of an electronic device, while still providing secure mounting for the electronic device to protect it from unwanted movement, damage, etc. 
       FIGS.  1 - 7    illustrate a first embodiment of a television support tilt mechanism  100 . While various embodiments disclosed herein refer to a television, the support tilt mechanisms disclosed herein may be used with any object, including other electronic devices, or other objects that are not electronic devices at all. 
     The television support tilt mechanism  100  includes three major components, a head portion  105 , an undercarriage portion  115 , and a telescopic portion  110 . The head portion  105  may be configured for attachment to an electronic device such as a television. The head portion  105  includes various openings and/or features that provide for the electronic device to be rigidly secured to the head portion  105 . As further disclosed herein, the head portion  105 , with the electronic device attached thereto, may be adjusted to different angles so that a display of the electronic device attached thereto may also be oriented at different angles. 
     The undercarriage portion  115  is configured for rigid attachment to a wall or other structure, either directly or indirectly. For example, the undercarriage portion  115  may be directly attached to a wall or other structure, or may be rigidly attached to some other intermediate support structure that is attached to the wall or other structure. For example, in some embodiments, a wall bracket (not shown) may be attached to a wall or other structure, and the undercarriage portion  115  may be rigidly attached to the wall bracket. 
     The telescopic portion  110  of the support tilt mechanism  100  is shown in  FIGS.  1 - 3  and  5 - 7   , but is described in further detail with respect to  FIGS.  8 - 15   . The telescopic portion  110  includes a first member  135  and a second member  140  that can move or slide telescopically with respect to one another. In other words, the first member  135  may slide with respect to the second member  140 . For example,  FIGS.  1 - 5 ,  8 ,  10 ,  12 , and  14    show the telescopic portion  110  in a fully retracted position, where the first member  135  and the second member  140  overlap to a greatest extent. As shown in  FIGS.  1 - 5   , this represents a tilt position where the undercarriage portion  115  and the head portion  105  are generally parallel (e.g., form an angle of zero degrees). As such, an electronic device rigidly attached to the head potion  105  may also therefore have a display surface that is generally parallel to the undercarriage portion  115 , the head portion  105 , and/or a wall to which the tilt support mechanism  100  is directly or indirectly attached. 
     In  FIGS.  6 ,  7 ,  9 ,  11 ,  13 , and  15   , the first member  135  and the second member  140  have telescopically moved with respect to one another (e.g., have been slid) as compared to  FIGS.  1 - 5 ,  8 ,  10 ,  12 , and  14    to a different, extended position. In such an extended position, the head portion  105  and the undercarriage portion  115  form an angle that is greater than zero degrees. As such, a surface of an electronic device mounted to the head portion  105  may also therefore form an angle with the undercarriage portion  115  and/or a wall to which the undercarriage portion  115  is directly or indirectly attached that is greater than zero degrees. In the extended position, such a surface of an electronic device may be tilted downward relative to a floor so that it may be more easily viewed. As such, the bottom of the tilt support mechanism  100  may be generally oriented on the end where the undercarriage portion  115  is connected to the head portion  105 , while the top of the tilt support mechanism  100  is generally oriented on the end where the head portion  105  is connected to the telescopic portion  110 . 
     While only two different positions of the tilt support mechanism  100  are demonstrated in  FIGS.  1 - 15   , the tilt support mechanism  100  may be adjusted to additional positions between a fully retracted and fully extended position (e.g., additional partially extended positions). Each position to which the tilt support mechanism  100  may be adjusted may form different angles between the undercarriage portion  115  and the head portion  105  (which may in turn cause a similar or same angle to be formed between a surface of an electronic device and the undercarriage portion  115  and/or a wall to which it is connected). For example, angles from anywhere including and between zero (0) to thirty (30) degrees may be accomplished using the embodiments described herein. As specific examples, the tilt support mechanism  100  may be locked into varying positions with angles such as 0 degrees, 2.5 degrees, 5 degrees, 7.5 degrees, 10 degrees, 12.5 degrees, 15 degrees, 17.5 degrees, 20 degrees, 22.5 degrees, 25 degrees, 27.5 degrees, and/or 30 degrees. 
     A first end of the head portion  105  is rotatably attached to a first end of the undercarriage portion  115  at a hinge  125 . The hinge  125  acts as a pivot and has an axis about which the head portion  105  and the undercarriage portion  115  may rotate with respect to one another while remaining attached. 
     A second end of the undercarriage portion  115  is rotatably attached to a first end of the telescopic portion  110  at a hinge  130 . The hinge  130  acts as a pivot and has an axis about which the undercarriage portion  115  and the telescopic portion  110  may rotate with respect to one another while remaining attached. The first end of the telescopic portion  110  at which the undercarriage portion  115  is attached is located on the first member  135  of the telescopic portion  110 . 
     A second end of the head portion  105  is rotatably attached to a second end of the telescopic portion  110  at a hinge  120 . The hinge  120  acts as a pivot and has an axis about which the head portion  105  and the telescopic portion  110  may rotate with respect to one another while remaining attached. The second end of the telescopic portion at which the head portion  105  is attached is located on the second member  140  of the telescopic portion  110 . 
     Because the head portion  105 , the telescopic portion  110 , and the undercarriage portion  115  are all rotatably attached to one another, a length of the telescopic portion  110  may be adjusted to form a triangle-shaped structure with different angles. For example, a triangle shape generally formed by the head portion  105 , the telescopic portion  110 , and the undercarriage portion  115  is visible in  FIGS.  6  and  7   . 
     The head portion  105  and the undercarriage portion  115  are further shaped such that, in a completely retracted position (e.g., as shown in  FIGS.  1 - 5   ), the head portion and the undercarriage portion  115  may overlap to achieve a zero-degree angle between the two. In particular, the head portion  105  may have a U-shaped cross-section defining a main surface, two side surfaces, and a space between the two side surfaces. As shown in  FIGS.  1 - 3 ,  6 , and  7   , the hinges  120  and  125  may be attached to the head portion  105  at the side surfaces. In this way, part of the undercarriage portion  115  and/or the telescopic portion  110  may move into the space formed between the two side surfaces of the head portion  105 . As such, a width of the undercarriage portion  115  may be less than the width of the space formed between the two side surfaces of the head portion  105 . Thus, the head portion  105  and the undercarriage portion  115  may overlap to form a zero-degree angle or other angles. Similarly, the telescopic portion  110  may also partially be in the space formed between the two side surfaces of the head portion  105 . 
     The telescopic portion  110  is shown in greater detail in  FIGS.  8 - 15   . In particular, the telescopic portion  110  includes a comprising a first member  135 , a second member  150 , and a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism is configured to lock the first and second members  135 ,  140  of the telescopic portion  110  into a plurality of different positions with respect to one another, so that the telescopic portion  110  may have different effective lengths to cause the head portion  105  to tile an electronic device mounted thereon into different position as disclosed herein. In other words, in telescopically sliding the first member  135  with respect to the second member  140 , the head portion  105  and the undercarriage portion  115  may form different angles based on which of a plurality of different positions the telescopic portion  110  is locked into. 
     The locking mechanism of the telescopic portion  110  includes a slider  145  on one of the first or second members (e.g., on the first member  135  in  FIGS.  8 - 15   ) and locking notches, such as a notch  160 , on the other of the first or second members (e.g., on the second member  140  in  FIGS.  8 - 15   ). The locking notches, including the notch  160 , are located in a groove  155  of the second member  140 . A portion (not shown) of the slider  145  is configured to move or slide within the groove  155 . The portion of the slider  145  in the groove  155  may lock into place in one of the notches as disclosed herein. 
     The slider  145  comprises an unlocking key  150 . The notches prevent movement of the slider  145  in a first direction without actuation of the unlocking key  150  of the slider  145  while permitting movement of the slider  145  in a second direction opposite the first direction without actuation of the unlocking key  150 . In the embodiment of  FIGS.  8 - 15   , the unlocking key  150  includes two buttons that, when actuated by pressing the buttons together causes the portion of the slider  145  in the groove  155  to compress. The unlocking key  150  is specifically configured to be actuated by compression on two opposing sides of the unlocking key  150 . When the portion of the slider  145  in the groove  155  is compressed upon actuation of the unlocking key  150 , the notches of the second member  140  no longer interfere with the portion of the slider  145  in the groove  155 . Thus, when the unlocking key  150  is actuated, the slider  145  may be moved between positions associated with different notches to change the effective length of the telescopic portion  110  and therefore the tile of an electronic device. The unlocking key  150  may also have a spring or other force that keeps the unlocking key  150  in a normally non-compressed position, which in turn also keeps the portion of the slider  145  in the groove  155  in a wider position to fill the notches in the groove. This keeps the slider  145  locked into a discrete position when it is not otherwise being adjusted by a user. 
     Each of the notches, including the notch  160 , includes three surfaces shown in  FIG.  11   . A surface  170  and a surface  175  are generally perpendicular or normal to one another, while a surface  165  is angled with respect to the other surfaces at a non-right angle. In particular, the surface  165  and the surface  170  form an angle between ninety (90) degrees and one hundred eighty (180) degrees. This provides a ratcheting mechanism, such that the portion of the slider  145  that is in the groove  155  can slide over the surface  165  into the notch  160  without actuation of the unlocking key  150  (e.g., without compressing the buttons of the unlocking key  150  together). In contrast, because of the angle between the surfaces  170  and  175 , the portion of the slider  145  in the groove  155  could not move in an opposite direction unless the unlocking key  150  is actuated/compressed to narrow the width of the portion of the slider  145  in the groove  155  to prevent interference between the slider  145  and the surface  175 . Stated another way, the slider  145  may be automatically actuated to move in a first direction (e.g., sliding over the surface  165 ), but the slider  145  must be manually actuated by a user (e.g., compressing the unlocking mechanism  150 ) to move in a second direction. 
     In other words, the ratcheting mechanism of the telescopic portion  110  provides for the slider  145  to move between locking notches in a first direction without actuation of the unlocking key, and provides for the slider  145  to move between the locking notches in a second direction with actuation of the unlocking key. In the example of  FIGS.  1 - 15   , movement of the slider  145  in the first direction that does not require actuation of the unlocking key  150  causes a reduction of an angle between the head portion  105  and the undercarriage portion  115 , as well as reduction of an angle between the undercarriage portion  115  and any electronic device mounted to the head portion  105 . This first direction of movement (e.g., shortening the effective length of the telescopic portion  110 ) requires a user to push on the head portion  105  or electronic device mounted thereon against the force of gravity. Thus, the telescopic portion  110  will not move in the first direction accidentally. Likewise, the force of gravity acts on the tilt support mechanism  100  in a way that pulls the portion of the slider  145  in the groove  155  against the right-angled surfaces (e.g., the surface  175 ) of the notches, also further locking the telescopic portion  110  in place. Thus, the telescopic portion  110  may be adjusted by pushing the electronic device toward a wall against the force of gravity to take advantage of the ratcheting mechanism, or may be adjusted with the help of gravity only when the unlocking key  150  is properly actuated. 
     As shown in  FIG.  11   , the notches include opposing notches on two sides of the groove  155 . The notches on the two opposing sides of the groove  155  in the example of  FIG.  11    are also symmetrical with respect to an axis aligned with a movement direction of the slider  145  of the telescopic portion  110 . Actuation of the unlocking key  150  therefore causes a portion of the slider  145  in the groove  155  to compress such that the portion of the slider  145  in the groove  155  does not interfere with opposing notches on each side of the groove  155 . The surface  170  is also parallel to the movement direction of the slider  145  of the telescopic portion  110 . 
       FIGS.  16 - 32    show a second embodiment of an electronic device tilt support mechanism that functions similarly to the embodiment shown in and described with respect to  FIGS.  1 - 15   . 
     Accordingly, disclosed herein are various embodiments for a wall mount for a display screen/television (TV) screen that includes a head portion that can be tilted along a horizontal axis relative to an undercarriage portion. The wall mount further includes a telescopic portion where the tilting is controlled by means of a ratcheting mechanism in the telescopic portion. The ratcheting mechanism allows for convenient and safe stepwise tilting from maximum tilt to an upright position. Other tilting mechanisms braked by friction require manual adjusting with tools (e.g., wrench, Allen key, screwdriver) to adjust the tilt friction to the weight of the display screen/TV. In such mechanisms, too low friction leads to unwanted self-tilting, while too high friction means that a lot of manual force is required for tilting from maximum tilt to upright position. Advantageously, the proposed tilting mechanism is independent of the weight of the display screen/TV and inherently safe because it is locked unless and until it is intentionally unlocked. 
     While various concepts have been described in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and alternatives to those concepts could be developed in light of the overall teachings of the disclosure. For example, different or similar components to those disclosed herein that achieve the same ends may be used in place of or in combination with any of the components of the examples above. It will also be appreciated that a detailed discussion of the actual implementation of various aspects of the examples described herein (e.g., how to attach a tilt support mechanism to a wall) is not necessary for an enabling understanding of the invention. Rather, the actual implementation of the embodiments disclosed herein would be well within the routine skill of an engineer, given the disclosure herein. Therefore, a person skilled in the art, applying ordinary skill, will be able to practice the invention set forth in the claims without undue experimentation. It will be additionally appreciated that the particular concepts disclosed are meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of the invention which is to be given the full breadth of the appended claims and any equivalents thereof.