Patent Abstract:
A mounting system for an electronic display providing enhanced versatility of movement and ease of installation. The mounting system includes a latch and kickstand assembly for latching the display to a support structure mountable to a wall and propping the bottom edge of the display away from the wall to enable connection of wires to the back of the display while the display is mounted on the wall. The mount further includes a vertical position adjustment assembly to enable vertical positioning and leveling of the display after the display is mounted.

Full Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/970,429, filed Sep. 6, 2007, hereby fully incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to mounts for video display devices, and more particularly to mounts for flat panel displays. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Flat panel monitors and televisions have become highly popular and widely used throughout commercial, business, and residential environments. These flat panel displays enable an enhanced viewing experience with layout versatility, space savings, and the ability to replace bulky computer monitors and televisions with displays that are merely a fraction of the depth and weight of similar prior displays of identical screen size. 
         [0004]    The dimensional characteristics of the displays allow them to be conveniently hung on a wall or connected to a mounting surface such as a column, post, or flat surface of a piece of furniture. It is preferable for aesthetic reasons that the display be mounted as closely as possible to the surface in order to achieve the appearance of a framed item such as a photograph or painting. Further, it is often desirable to be capable of readily adjusting the orientation and position of the flat panel display relative to the surface. Versatility of movement of the mount is key to achieving a device that is positioned exactly in the most functional or aesthetically pleasing location desired by the user. Such versatility is particularly desirable as the unique characteristics of a wall or mounting surface may dictate the location where the mount may be attached. 
         [0005]    Many prior mounts have been somewhat difficult to install and adjust as access to the area behind a flat panel display is often very limited during and after the installation process. Moreover, because many larger displays are heavy and hard to lift and position, it is very difficult to make mounting modifications during installation without completely removing the display from the wall. 
         [0006]    Therefore, there is a need for a display mount with enhanced versatility of positioning and adjustment. Likewise, an improved display mount that is easy to install, use, retain in a stable configuration, and which provides necessary access to the rear of the display is desired. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The present invention addresses the need of the industry for a flat panel display mount that provides enhanced versatility of movement and ease of installation, maintenance, and manipulation. According to embodiments of the invention, a mount for attaching an electronic display to a wall includes a support structure adapted to attach to the wall and presenting a pair of vertically spaced-apart generally horizontally oriented flanges. The mount further includes a pair of display interface brackets, each of the display interface brackets including a display interface portion adapted to attach to the electronic display, and a hook bracket assembly operably coupled to the display interface bracket. The hook bracket assembly presents a hook selectively engagable over an upper one of the flanges of the support structure to hang the display interface brackets and the display from the support structure and further includes a vertical position adjustment assembly operably coupled to the display interface bracket. The vertical position adjustment assembly enables selective vertical positioning of the display interface portion and the display relative to the support structure. 
         [0008]    In embodiments of the invention, the vertical position adjustment assembly includes an adjustment screw and a traveling block with the traveling block operably coupled to the display interface bracket. The hook bracket assembly may further include a latch assembly for latching the display interface bracket to a lower one of the flanges of the support structure. The latch assembly may include a vertically slidable housing selectively shiftable between a first latched position in which a tab portion of the housing is engaged behind the lower one of the flanges of the support structure, and a second unlatched position in which the tab portion is clear of the lower one of the flanges to enable the display interface bracket to be disengaged from the support structure. The latch assembly may include a spring biasing the housing toward the latched position, and a kickstand selectively shiftable between a first position in which an end of the kickstand is engaged with the support structure to prop a bottom edge of the display away from the wall, and a second position in which the kickstand is clear of the support structure to enable the latch assembly to be engaged with the support structure. 
         [0009]    In embodiments, the latch assembly may include a handle structure pivotally coupled to the hook bracket assembly, the handle structure defining a groove for engaging the lower one of the flanges of the support structure. The handle structure is selectively shiftable between a first latched position in which the groove is engaged with the lower one of the flanges of the support structure to latch the display interface bracket to the support structure, and a second unlatched position in which the groove is clear of the lower one of the flanges of the support structure to enable the display interface bracket to be disengaged from the support structure. The mount may further include a spring arranged to bias the handle toward the latched position. The spring may be made from elastomeric polymer material. 
         [0010]    In embodiments, the handle structure may be selectively shiftable to a third kickstand position in which the handle is engaged with the support structure to prop a bottom edge of the display away from the wall. The mount may include spring arranged to bias the handle structure away from the kickstand position. 
         [0011]    In further embodiments, an electronic display system mountable on a wall of a structure includes an electronic display and a mount. The mount includes a support structure adapted to attach to the wall and presenting a pair of vertically spaced-apart generally horizontally oriented flanges and a pair of display interface brackets. Each of the display interface brackets includes a display interface portion adapted to attach to the electronic display, and a hook bracket assembly operably coupled to the display interface bracket. The hook bracket assembly presents a hook selectively engagable over an upper one of the flanges of the support structure to hang the display interface brackets and the display from the support structure and a vertical position adjustment assembly operably coupled to the display interface bracket. The vertical position adjustment assembly enables selective vertical positioning of the display interface portion and the display relative to the support structure. 
         [0012]    In further embodiments, a mount for attaching an electronic display to a wall includes a support structure adapted to attach to the wall. The support structure presents a pair of vertically spaced-apart generally horizontally oriented flanges. The mount further includes a pair of display interface brackets, each of the display interface brackets including a display interface portion adapted to attach to the electronic display and a hook bracket assembly operably coupled to the display interface bracket. The hook bracket assembly presents a hook selectively engagable over an upper one of the flanges of the support structure to hang the display interface brackets and the display from the support structure and a latch assembly for latching the display interface bracket to a lower one of the flanges of the support structure. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    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: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a flat panel display mounting system according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a front view of the display mounting system of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a rear view of the display mounting system of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a side view of a display mounting system of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is top view of a display mounting system of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is bottom view of a display mounting system of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is a front perspective view of the flat panel display mounting system of  FIG. 1  in a kickstand configuration; 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  is a side view of the flat panel display mounting system in the configuration of  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  is a fragmentary view of an inset portion of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 10  is a left side phantom view of the display mounting system of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 10   a  is a view of the inset portion  10   a  of  FIG. 10 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of an assembled right mounting bracket of the flat panel mounting system; 
           [0026]      FIG. 11   a  is an exploded view of the right mounting bracket of the flat panel mounting system depicted in  FIG. 11 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 12  is a fragmentary perspective view of a latch assembly of the mount of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 12   a  is an exploded view of the assembly of  FIG. 12 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a bracket assembly of the mount of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 13   a  is a view of the inset portion  13   a  of  FIG. 13 ; 
           [0031]      FIG. 14  is an exploded perspective view of a bracket assembly of the mount of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0032]      FIG. 14   a  is a view of the inset portion  14   a  of  FIG. 14 ; 
           [0033]      FIG. 15   a  is a front perspective view of a bracket assembly according to an alternative embodiment of the invention; 
           [0034]      FIG. 15   b  is a rear perspective view of the bracket of  FIG. 15   a  depicted in a partially extended kickstand position; 
           [0035]      FIG. 15   c  is a side elevation view of the bracket of  FIG. 15   b;    
           [0036]      FIG. 15   d  is a partially exploded view of the bracket of  FIG. 15   a;    
           [0037]      FIG. 16   a  is a front elevation view of a bracket assembly according to another alternative embodiment of the invention; 
           [0038]      FIG. 16   b  is a cross-sectional view taken at section  16   b - 16   b  of  FIG. 16   a;    
           [0039]      FIG. 16   c  is a side elevation view of the bracket of  FIG. 16   a;    
           [0040]      FIG. 16   d  is a rear perspective view of the bracket of  FIG. 16   a;    
           [0041]      FIG. 16   e  is an exploded view of the bracket of  FIG. 16   d;    
           [0042]      FIG. 16   f  is a view of the inset portion  16   f  of  FIG. 16   b;    
           [0043]      FIG. 17  is a cross-sectional view taken at section  17 - 17  of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0044]      FIG. 18  is a front perspective view of a mount according to an alternative embodiment of the invention; 
           [0045]      FIG. 19  is a front perspective view of a display interface bracket of the mount of  FIG. 18 ; 
           [0046]      FIG. 20  is a cutaway view of the display interface bracket of  FIG. 19 ; 
           [0047]      FIG. 21  is a further cutaway view of the opposite side of the display interface bracket of  FIG. 19 ; 
           [0048]      FIG. 22  is a fragmentary cutaway view of the spring latch portion of the display interface bracket of  FIG. 19 ; and 
           [0049]      FIG. 23  is a fragmentary perspective view of a top edge of the spring latch portion of the display interface bracket of  FIG. 19 . 
       
    
    
       [0050]    While the present invention is amendable 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 OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0051]    Embodiments of the present invention relate to display mount systems for attaching a flat panel electronic display to a fixed structure. Such flat panel displays include plasma displays, liquid crystal displays (LCDs), or any other kind of electronic display that is of similar dimensions or characteristics. Fixed structures generally refer to walls, but also may include ceilings, beams, columns, pieces of furniture, booths, or any other fixed or permanent structure to which a display mount might be attached. 
         [0052]    An embodiment of a display wall mount  10  is depicted in  FIGS. 1 through 14   a . Display wall mount  10  generally includes support assembly  12  and first and second display interface bracket assemblies  14 ,  16 . Support assembly  12  generally includes two parallel, transversely disposed, spaced-apart supports  18 ,  18   a , that are fixed together at their ends by vertical support members  20 . Supports  18 ,  18   a , define a series of openings  22  that receive fasteners  24  to mount supports  18 ,  18   a , to a wall  25  or other fixed structure. Supports  18 ,  18   a , define upper and lower flanges  26 ,  28 , respectively, spanning the length of supports  18 ,  18   a . Flanges  26 ,  28 , are offset from the wall  25  or support structure to receive hooks and latches of bracket assemblies  14 ,  16 , to attach bracket assemblies  14 ,  16 , thereto. 
         [0053]    Each bracket assembly  14 ,  16 , generally includes display interface bracket  30 , and hook bracket assembly  31 . Display interface bracket  30  presents front plane  42  which defines a plurality of slots  44  for mounting to a flat panel display  45 . Flange portion  46  extends rearwardly from front plane  42  along the one edge of bracket  30 . Flange portion  46  defines a pair of arcuate slots  48  which define a range of tilting motion of the bracket  30 . 
         [0054]    Hook bracket assembly  31 , as depicted in the exploded view of  FIG. 11   a , generally includes parallel hook flanges  32 , carrier brackets  34 , vertical position adjustment assembly  35 , and latch/kickstand assembly  36 . Each of hook flanges  32  generally defines hook portion  38  at upper end  39  and guide slots  40 ,  40   a . Hook flanges  32 , are fastened together with fasteners  78  in a parallel spaced apart relationship with vertical position adjustment assembly  35 , and latch/kickstand assembly  36  sandwiched in between. 
         [0055]    Vertical position adjustment assembly  35  generally includes head block  76 , traveling block  56 , adjustment screw  86 , and guide pin  88 . Adjustment screw  86  is received through head block  76 , but is not threadedly engaged therewith, enabling adjustment screw  86  to rotate without translating vertically. Adjustment screw  86  is threadedly engaged with traveling block  56  such that traveling block  56  translates vertically as adjustment screw  86  is rotated. Carrier brackets  34  are received between hook flanges  32  and traveling block  56  and are coupled to traveling block  56  on guide pins  89 . Guide pins  89  are free to translate vertically in guide slots  40 , with nylon washers  90  being provided to reduce friction. The ends of guide pin  88  extend through aperture  91  in each of carrier brackets  34 . Guide pin  88  is also free to translate vertically in guide slots  40   a , with nylon washers  90  being again provided to reduce friction. 
         [0056]      FIG. 9  is a detail view of the inset portion ( 9 ) of  FIG. 1 , depicting a portion of the vertical position adjustment assembly  35  of the display mount. While the height of the display mount will largely be determined by the mounting height of the support plates  18 , this vertical position adjustment assembly  35  allows a range of height adjustment that is especially useful for precise vertical position adjustment within fractions of an inch. As there is a vertical position adjustment assembly  35  associated with each bracket assembly  14 ,  16 , the vertical position adjustment assembly  35  may be utilized for precise leveling of display  45  as well by separately adjusting the vertical position adjustment assembly  35  of each bracket assembly  14 ,  16 . 
         [0057]    Each carrier bracket  34  defines guide slots  48 . Glides  50  are engaged and slidable within slots  48  to enable tilting movement of bracket  30  with respect to hook bracket assembly  31 . Knob  52  is provided on bolt  54  that passes through arcuate slots  48  and glides  50 . Knob  52  may be tightened and loosened as desired to add or remove friction resisting tilting adjustment of bracket  30  and a display  45  attached thereto. It will be appreciated that guide slots  48  may be configured so as to define and arcuate path of travel P about a tilt axis A (depicted in  FIG. 8 ) extending through display  45  forward of front plane  42 . Display  45  may thereby be self-balancing so as to maintain any desired tilt position. One such self balancing configuration is described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,152,836, owned by the owners of the present invention, and hereby fully incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0058]    Latch/kickstand assembly  36  generally includes elongate portion  58  with a first free end  60  having handle portion  62  and second pivoting end  64  defining recess  66  and aperture  68 .  FIGS. 12 and 12   a  respectively depict fragmentary assembled and exploded views of the assembly  36 . The shape of the interior grooves of the pivotal end  62  are shaped to receive elastomeric spring members  92 , which may be made from urethane foam material. Latch pivot pin  70  extends through aperture  68  to pivotally attach assembly  36  between parallel hook flanges  32 . Groove  94  is defined in second end  64  for receiving bump pin  96  extending between parallel hook flanges  32 . 
         [0059]    Latch/kickstand assembly  36 , as depicted in  FIGS. 1-6 , functions to latch the bottom of the bracket assembly  14 ,  16 , to the lower flange  28  of support assembly  12 . This assembly  36  enables a user to quickly and efficiently secure the mount and corresponding flat panel display in the desired position by simply hooking the parallel hook flanges  32  on the upper flange  26  of the support assembly  12 , adjusting the height and angle of the flat panel display, and engaging groove  94  with bottom flange  28  of support assembly  12 . 
         [0060]      FIGS. 7 and 8  depict an additional, particularly useful configuration that may be utilized during mount installation, adjustment, maintenance, or particularly for temporary access to the back panel of a mounted flat panel display for attaching cables and wires. In this configuration, handle  62  is pivoted around latch pivot pin  70  approximately ninety degrees, such that handle  62  is engaged with groove  72  on support  18   a . In this position, handle  62  functions as a kickstand to prop-up the bottom of display  45 , thereby enabling easy access to the back of display  45  for connecting wires and cables. Further, this configuration is especially useful for making adjustments when a user is in the process of installing a display. Because large flat panel displays are often very heavy and awkward to hold, it can be difficult to connect wires and cables to connectors on the back of the display while the display is disengaged from the mount. This kickstand feature provides the capability of connecting wires and cables with the display already mounted, but without having the display located an excessive distance from the wall 
         [0061]    The components of latch/kickstand assembly  36  operate together to function as a spring-biased mechanism, biasing handle portion  62  to a vertically disposed position (as seen in  FIGS. 1-6  for example). This vertical position biasing is maintained whether the latch is pivoted forward or rearward around the latch pivot pin  70 . When handle  62  is disposed in a vertical position, spring members  92 ,  92   a , are aligned adjacent to the bump pin  96 . Rotating handle  62  rearward, as when an operator places the latch in the kickstand position, causes the bump pin to be meshed against the lower spring member  92   a  resulting in a biasing force against such movement. Rotating the handle  62  forward from the vertical position, as when groove  94  is to be engaged around lower flange  28  of support  18   a , causes the bump pin  96  to be meshed against the upper spring member  92  resulting in a biasing force against such movement. This spring biasing arrangement is useful as this causes handle  62  in the kickstand position to immediately resume a vertical orientation when removed from the groove  72  of the support  18   a.    
         [0062]    This spring-biasing arrangement also is useful when bracket assemblies  14 ,  16 , are pushed against lower flange  28  of support  18   a  to latch bracket assemblies  14 ,  16 , in place. Rounded edge  97  rides up and over flange  28  against the bias of lower spring member  92   a  as bracket assembly  14 ,  16 , is advanced inward onto flange  28 . Once tip  99  is inward of flange  28 , spring member  92   a  urges handle  62  toward the vertical position, “clicking” groove  94  into engagement with flange  28 . 
         [0063]    In use, bracket assemblies  14 ,  16 , are attached to the rear of a flat panel display device  45  with fasteners through apertures  44 , in display interface bracket  30 . Hooks  38  are engaged over upper flange  26  of support assembly  12  in order to suspend the assembly of the flat panel display and bracket assemblies  14 ,  16 , on the wall. Handle  62  may be rotated about pivot pin  70  so that handle  62  extends horizontally outward to engage groove  72  on support  18   a . In this position, the bottom of the flat panel display  45  is held in the kickstand position away from the wall as depicted in  FIG. 8  to enable connection of wires and cables to the back of the display. Once connection of wires, and any other desired work, is complete, the bottom of display  45  may be lifted away from the wall slightly. The bias provided by lower spring member  92   a  rotates handle  62  to a vertical position. As the bottom ends of bracket assemblies  14 ,  16 , swing toward the wall, rounded edge  97  rides up and over flange  28  against the bias of lower spring member  92   a  as bracket assembly  14 ,  16 , is advanced inward onto flange  28 . Once tip  99  is inward of flange  28 , spring member  92   a  urges handle  62  toward the vertical position, “clicking” groove  94  into engagement with flange  28 . and thereby latching bracket assemblies  14 ,  16 , to support  12 . 
         [0064]    The height of the display above a floor surface can be independently adjusted at each of bracket assemblies  14 ,  16 , by rotating adjustment screw  86 . As adjustment screw  86  is rotated, bracket  30  and display  45  which is attached thereto are translated up or down relative to support  12 . Further, the display can be leveled laterally by adjusting either or both of the adjustment screws  86  of bracket assemblies  14 ,  16 , independently. The display  45  may be easily dismounted by rotating handle  62  against the bias of spring member  92   a  until tip  99  clears flange  28 , pulling horizontally outward on the bottom of the display  45 , and then lifting upward on the display  45  to disengage hooks  38  from upper flange  26 . 
         [0065]      FIGS. 10 and 10   a  respectively set forth a phantom left side view of mount  10 , and a close-up detail view of the view of  FIG. 10 .  FIG. 10  depicts the relative engagement locations of the parallel hook flanges  32  to the upper flange portion  26  of the support plates  18 ,  18   a , as well as the location of latch/kickstand assembly  36  in latched position relative to lower flange  28  of support  18   s . Fasteners  24  are seen in the recessed portion of the support members that are directly adjacent a wall or other support structure.  FIG. 10   a  is a more detailed view of the parallel hook flanges  32  and the vertical position adjustment components. The hooks  38  of parallel hook flanges  32  is seen to be shaped for adjacent engagement with the outside of the upper flange member  26  of support  18 . Hook  38  also has an interior curvature which enables parallel hook flanges  32  to be pivoted into engagement or for angled positioning as when the kickstand configuration shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8  is being used. 
         [0066]    The assembled view of the bracket assembly depicted in  FIG. 11  and the exploded view of the right bracket assembly in  FIG. 11   a  provide a comprehensive layout of the bracket assemblies  14 ,  16 , in this embodiment.  FIG. 13   a  depicts a detail view of the inset portion  13   a  of  FIG. 13 .  FIG. 14   a  shows a detail view of the inset portion of  FIG. 14 . The components are depicted in a partially exploded configuration for clarity. 
         [0067]      FIGS. 15   a - d  disclose an alternate embodiment of the bracket assembly of the flat panel display mount where two sets of hinged arms  202  and  204  are utilized in place of the kickstand arrangement of the previously disclosed embodiment. The hinged arms  202  and  204  generally form a linkage between an outer bracket member  206  and a pair of side bracket members  208 . These hinged arms are pivotally mounted using fasteners and washers at their pivoting ends. These hinged arms allow the bracket assembly to tilt away from the wall or mounting structure to access the back side of a mounted flat panel display and to aid in connecting wires and cables. 
         [0068]      FIGS. 16   a - f  disclose an alternative embodiment of the bracket assembly of the flat panel display mount where an alternative latching arrangement is disclosed. This arrangement uses a latch  210  which is spring-biased in a single direction. This biasing occurs when the latch  210  is rotated around a latch pivot pin  212  to ride over a ridge on support plate  214  for clipping the latch in place. A urethane dowel  216  functions as a biased spring when compressed against a mounted pin  218 . Using this arrangement, the latch  210  is able to open automatically when the bracket  206  is swung down against the wall during mounting and to click into a latched state. 
         [0069]    In  FIGS. 18-23  there is depicted a further embodiment enabling a display to be mounted very close to a wall surface. As depicted in  FIG. 18 , mount  236  generally includes support assembly  12  and display interface brackets  238 ,  240 . Support assembly  12  being previously described, each of display interface brackets  238 ,  240 , as depicted in  FIGS. 19-23 , generally includes display interface flange  242  and hook bracket assembly  244 . Display interface flange  242  has front plane  246  defining a plurality of elongate apertures  248  and round apertures  250  for receiving fasteners (not depicted) to attach display interface bracket  238 ,  240 , to the back of a flat panel display device  45 . Additionally, display interface flange  242  has attachment flange  252  extending rearwardly for attaching display interface flange  242  to hook bracket assembly  244 . 
         [0070]    Hook bracket assembly  244 , depicted in  FIGS. 20-23  with portions cut away for clarity, generally includes parallel hook flanges  254 ,  256 , vertical position adjustment assembly  258 , and latch/kickstand assembly  260 . Each of hook flanges  254 ,  256 , generally defines hook  262  at upper end  264  and guide slots  266 . Hook flanges  254 ,  256 , are fastened together with fasteners  268  in a parallel spaced apart relationship with vertical position adjustment assembly  258 , and latch/kickstand assembly  260  sandwiched in between. 
         [0071]    Vertical position adjustment assembly  258  generally includes head block  270 , traveling block  272 , adjustment screw  274 , and guide pin  276 . Adjustment screw  274  is received through head block  270 , but is not threadedly engaged therewith, enabling adjustment screw  274  to rotate without translating vertically. Adjustment screw is threadedly engaged with traveling block  272  such that traveling block  272  translates vertically as adjustment screw  274  is rotated. Attachment flange  252  is received between hook flange  254  and traveling block  272  and is fixed to traveling block  272  with fastener  278 . Fastener  278  and projection  279  are free to translate vertically in guide slots  266 . Fastener  280  couples attachment flange  252  with guide pin  276 . Fastener  280  and guide pin end  282  are also free to translate vertically in guide slots  266 . 
         [0072]    Latch/kickstand assembly  260  generally includes spring latch  284  and kickstand  286 . Spring latch  284  is vertically slidably disposed between hook flanges  254 ,  256 , and generally includes housing halves  288 ,  290 , spring  292 , and pull handle  294 . Housing halves  288 ,  290 , define internal cavity  296  which receives spring  292  therein. Fastener  268  extends through apertures in hook flanges  254 ,  256 , elongate slot  300  defined in housing halves  288 ,  290 . Bottom end  302  of spring  292  bears on fastener  268 , while top end  304  of spring  292  bears on inner wall  306 , such that spring latch  284  is biased in an upward direction by spring  292 . Strap portion  308  is received and trapped in slot  309  defined by housing halves  288 ,  290 . The distance that pull ring portion  310  extends below spring latch  284  can be adjusted by loosening fastener  312 , and pulling or pushing strap portion  308  so that pull ring  310  is a desired distance below spring latch  284 , and retightening fastener  312 . In this way, the position of pull ring  310  can be adjusted so as to be immediately adjacent the bottom edge of a display attached to mount  236 . 
         [0073]    Housing half  290  has upwardly projecting tab  314  and also defines upwardly projecting lip  316 . Kickstand  286  is pivotally mounted between hook flanges  254 ,  256 , at pivot  318 , and generally includes hub  320  and arm  322 . Hub  320  defines first shoulder  324  and second shoulder  326 . Kickstand  286  is held in a retracted position as depicted in the figures by the engagement of tab  314  with shoulder  324 , preventing rotation of kickstand  286 . 
         [0074]    In use, display interface brackets  238 ,  240 , are attached to the rear of a flat panel display device with fasteners through apertures  248 ,  250 , in display interface flange  242 . Hooks  262  are engaged over upper flange  26  of support assembly  12  in order to suspend the assembly of the flat panel display and display interface brackets  238 ,  240 , on the wall. Spring latch  284  may then be pulled downward against the bias of spring  292 . As tab  314  is drawn downward and disengaged from first shoulder  324 , kickstand  286  rotates around pivot  318  by gravity (in the direction of the arrow depicted in  FIG. 21 ) so that arm  322  extends horizontally outward. In this position, spring latch  284  may be released so that tab  314  contacts second shoulder  326  to hold kickstand  286  in position and prevent further rotation. End  328  of arm  322  contacts the lower support  18  in this position, thereby holding the bottom of the flat panel display attached to mount  236  away from the wall to enable connection of wires and cables to the back of the display. Once connection of wires, and any other desired work, is complete, kickstand  286  may be rotated in the reverse direction, disengaging tab  314  from second shoulder  326 . As the bottom ends of display interface brackets  238 ,  240 , swing toward the wall, upwardly projecting lip  316  rides over flange  28 , forcing spring latch  284  downward against the bias of spring  292 . Once lip  316  is on the rear side of flange  28 , spring latch  284  is urged upward by the bias of spring  292 , thereby latching display interface brackets  238 ,  240 , to support  12 . 
         [0075]    The height of the display above a floor surface can be independently adjusted at each of display interface brackets  238 ,  240 , by rotating adjustment screw  274 . As adjustment screw  274  is rotated, display interface flange  242  and the display attached thereto are translated up or down relative to hook brackets assembly  244  and support  12 . Further, the display can be leveled laterally by adjusting either or both of the adjustment screws of display interface brackets  238 ,  240  independently. The display may be easily dismounted by pulling spring latches  284  downward so that lips  316  clear flange  28 , pulling horizontally outward on the bottom of the display, and then lifting upward on the display to disengage hooks  262  from upper flange  26 . 
         [0076]    The embodiments above are intended to be illustrative and not limiting. Additional embodiments are encompassed within the scope of the claims. Although the present invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For purposes of interpreting the claims for the present invention, it is expressly intended that the provisions of Section 112, sixth paragraph of 35 U.S.C. are not to be invoked unless the specific terms “means for” or “step for” are recited in a claim.

Technology Classification (CPC): 8