Patent Abstract:
A television mounting system is disclosed. It includes a wall plate adapted to be secured to a wall and a monitor plate mountable on the wall plate. Expansion plates may be secured at selected locations on the monitor plate to accommodate mounting of various sizes of display screens, such as flat panel televisions.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application claims the benefit of Application Ser. No. 60/878,003, filed Dec. 28, 2006, entitled “Flat Panel Display Mounting System,” the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to television displays and more particularly relates to television mounting systems for flat panel displays. 
     Recently, there has been a marked growth in the popularity of flat panel displays, and in particular flat panel televisions. Flat panel televisions presently use one of two technologies, either liquid crystal or plasma display, to provide a display screen that is much thinner and lighter than traditions cathode ray televisions or projection televisions. Flat panel televisions are also versatile and that they can be placed on a stand or mounted on numerous surfaces such as a wall. 
     The variety and accessibility of flat panel televisions is increasing as more manufacturers enter the market and larger flat panel televisions are produced. Presently, each manufacturer of flat panel televisions offer mounting brackets, stands or other hardware that is uniquely designed to mount that particular brand of flat panel television. There are also a number of mounting systems that can be used interchangeably with different flat panel televisions, however, these mounting systems typically require a mounting plate that is specific to each unique flat panel television product. 
     Many of the mounting systems that are available are not versatile. These mounting systems are designed for mounting a particular flat panel television. Thus, there is a need for mounting systems that are able to mount a wide range of flat panel televisions. There&#39;s also a need for mounting systems that do not require significant man power. As is well-known to those skilled in the art, many of the mounting systems require three or more individuals to work together to mount a flat panel televisions to a wall. Thus, there remains a need for televisions mounting systems that require less man power for mounting a flat panel television to a wall. There&#39;s also a need for television mounting systems that more adequately protect the flat panel television mounting thereto. Finally, there remains a need for flat panel television mounting systems that enable the mounted flat panel television to be properly oriented for maximum viewing quality. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one preferred embodiments of the present invention, a television mounting system includes a wall plate having an upper end, a lower end, and first and second sides extending between the upper and lower ends, and a support flange extending along the upper end of the wall plate. The wall plate may have at least one support rib integrally formed with and projecting from the wall plate. The wall plate desirably has an inner face and an outer face, and the at least one support rib projects from the inner face. The at least one support rib may include a pair of support ribs having a V-shaped configuration. A first mating flange preferably extends along the first side of the wall plate and a second mating flange preferably extends along the second side of the wall plate. The first and second mating flanges may include curved surfaces. 
     The wall plate may have openings extending therethrough for securing the wall plate to a surface, the openings including a pair of aligned keyhole-shaped openings extending through the wall plate and a smaller opening aligned with the pair of keyhole-shaped openings and located between the pair of keyhole-shaped openings and the upper end of the wall plate. One or more flanges, such as one or more L-shaped flanges, may project from a lower end of the wall plate. The flanges desirably have threaded openings. In certain preferred embodiments, inserts having threaded central openings may be inserted into openings in the flanges. 
     The television mounting system may also include a monitor plate mountable on the wall plate, the monitor plate having an inner face, an outer face, an upper end, a lower end and first and second sides extending between the upper and lower ends. A first mounting flange having a first hook may extend along the first side of the monitor plate and a second mounting flange having a second hook may extend along the second side of the monitor plate. When mounting the monitor plate on the wall plate, the first and second hooks of the mounting flanges desirably engage the first and second mating flanges on the wall plate. In one embodiment, the monitor plate has openings extending therethrough for securing the monitor plate to a television monitor. The monitor plate may also have openings extending therethrough for securing at least one expansion plate to the monitor plate. 
     In certain preferred embodiments, L-shaped flanges project from a lower end of the monitor plate, the L-shaped flanges have threaded openings that are alignable with the threaded openings on the wall plate when the monitor plate is mounted on the wall plate. 
     The at least one expansion plate desirably includes a top expansion plate having an upper end, a lower end, and at least one support hook insertable into at least one of the second openings in the monitor plate for securing the top expansion plate to the monitor plate. The at least one expansion plate may also include a bottom expansion plate having an upper end, a lower end and at least one support hook insertable into at least one of the second openings in the monitor plate for securing the bottom expansion plate to the monitor plate. The at least one support hook on the top expansion plate preferably extends toward the lower end of the top expansion plate and the at least one support hook on the bottom expansion plate preferably extends toward the lower end of the bottom expansion plate. The top expansion plate desirably includes first openings for securing the top expansion plate to the monitor plate and second openings for securing the top expansion plate to a television monitor. The bottom expansion plate desirably includes first openings for securing the bottom expansion plate to the monitor plate and second openings for securing the bottom expansion plate to a television monitor. 
     In certain preferred embodiments, the top expansion plate includes a pair of support arms that extend outwardly from the monitor plate, whereby each support arm has an opening for securing the support arm to a television monitor and a support rib that surrounds the opening and extends to a location adjacent the monitor plate, the support rib enhancing the structural integrity of the support arms of the top expansion plate. The bottom expansion plate may include a pair of support arms that extend outwardly from the monitor plate, whereby each support arm includes an opening for securing the support arm to a television monitor and a support rib that surrounds the opening and extends to a location adjacent the monitor plate, the rib enhancing the structural integrity of the support arms of the bottom expansion plate. 
     In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a television mounting system includes a wall plate having an upper end, a lower end, and first and second sides extending between the upper and lower ends, and at least one support rib integrally formed with and projecting from the wall plate. The wall plate desirably has an inner face and an outer face, and the at least one support rib projects from the inner face. The at least one support rib preferably comprises a pair of support ribs having a V-shaped configuration. 
     The mounting system may also include a first mating flange extending along the first side of the wall plate, and a second mating flange extending along the second side of the wall plate. The wall plate preferably has openings extending through the wall plate for securing the wall plate to a surface, the openings including a pair of aligned keyhole-shaped openings extending through the wall plate and a smaller opening aligned with the pair of keyhole-shaped openings and located between the pair of keyhole-shaped openings and the upper end of the wall plate. 
     The mounting system may also include a monitor plate mountable on the wall plate, the monitor plate having an inner face, an outer face, an upper end, a lower end and first and second sides extending between the upper and lower ends, a first mounting flange having a first hook extending along the first side of the monitor plate, and a second mounting flange having a second hook extending along the second side of the monitor plate, whereby when mounting the monitor plate on the wall plate the first and second hooks of the mounting flanges engage the first and second mating flanges on the wall plate. 
     In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a television mounting system includes a wall plate having an upper end, a lower end, and first and second sides extending between the upper and lower ends, a first mating flange extending along the first side of the wall plate, and a second mating flange extending along the second side of the wall plate. The mounting system desirably includes a monitor plate mountable on the wall plate, the monitor plate having an inner face, an outer face, an upper end, a lower end and first and second sides extending between the upper and lower ends. The system preferably includes a first mounting flange having a first hook extending along the first side of the monitor plate, and a second mounting flange having a second hook extending along the second side of the monitor plate. After the monitor plate has been secured to a television, the monitor plate may be mounted on the wall plate. When mounting the monitor plate on the wall plate, the first and second hooks of the mounting flanges preferably engage the first and second mating flanges on the wall plate. 
     The monitor plate preferably comprises first openings extending through the monitor plate for securing the monitor plate to a television monitor. The monitor plate may have second openings extending through the monitor plate for securing at least one expansion plate to the monitor plate. In certain preferred embodiments, the at least one expansion plate include a top expansion plate having an upper end, a lower end, and at least one support hook insertable into at least one of the second openings in the monitor plate for securing the top expansion plate to the monitor plate, and a bottom expansion plate having an upper end, a lower end and at least one support hook insertable into at least one of the second openings in the monitor plate for securing the bottom expansion plate to the monitor plate. The at least one support hook on the top expansion plate preferably extends toward the lower end of the top expansion plate and the at least one support hook on the bottom expansion plate preferably extends toward the lower end of the bottom expansion plate. The top expansion plate may include first openings for securing the top expansion plate to the monitor plate and second openings for securing the top expansion plate to a television monitor. Similarly, the bottom expansion plate may include first openings for securing the bottom expansion plate to the monitor plate and second openings for securing the bottom expansion plate to a television monitor. 
     In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a television mounting system includes a monitor plate having openings extending therethrough, at least one expansion plate having at least one support hook insertable into one of the openings extending through the monitor plate for securing the at least one expansion plate to the monitor plate. The at least one expansion plate desirably includes a top expansion plate having an upper end, a lower end, and at least one support hook insertable into at least one of the openings in the monitor plate for securing the top expansion plate to the monitor plate, and a bottom expansion plate having an upper end, a lower end and at least one support hook insertable into at least one of the openings in the monitor plate for securing the bottom expansion plate to the monitor plate. 
     In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, a television mounting system includes a monitor plate having a plurality of openings extending therethrough, the plurality of openings including central openings and peripheral openings outside the central openings, and at least one expansion plate having at least one support hook insertable into one of the plurality of openings extending through the monitor plate for securing the at least one expansion plate to the monitor plate. The at least one expansion plate desirably includes a top expansion plate having an upper end, a lower end, and at least one support hook insertable into at least one of the plurality of openings extending through the monitor plate for securing the top expansion plate to the monitor plate, and a bottom expansion plate having an upper end, a lower end and at least one support hook insertable into at least one of the plurality of openings extending through the monitor plate for securing the bottom expansion plate to the monitor plate. The support hooks are preferably insertable into the peripheral openings for increasing an area covered by the top and bottom expansion plates and are insertable into the central openings for reducing the area covered by the top and bottom expansion plates. 
     In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a television mounting system includes a wall plate, a tilt mechanism coupled with the wall plate for tilting to selected angles relative to the wall plate, and a monitor plate having openings extending therethrough for securing the monitor plate to a television monitor, the monitor plate being mountable on the tilt mechanism. The wall plate is desirably coupled with the tilt mechanism using fixed fasteners so that the tilt mechanism cannot be accidentally disassembled from the wall plate. The wall plate preferably has first and second sides extending between upper and lower ends thereof, the sides having elongated slots formed therein that receive one or more of the fixed fasteners. The fixed fasteners are preferably slidable in the elongated slots during tilting movement of the tilt mechanism relative to the wall plate. 
     The mounting system may also include at least one expansion plate securable to the monitor plate. The at least one expansion plate may include a top expansion plate having an upper end, a lower end, and at least one support hook insertable into at least one of the second openings in the monitor plate for securing the top expansion plate to the monitor plate, and a bottom expansion plate having an upper end, a lower end and at least one support hook insertable into at least one of the second openings in the monitor plate for securing the bottom expansion plate to the monitor plate. The top expansion plate may include a pair of support arms that extend outwardly from the monitor plate, whereby each support arm includes an opening for securing the support arm to a television monitor and a support rib that surrounds the opening and extends to a location adjacent the monitor plate, the rib enhancing the structural integrity of the support arms of the top expansion plate. The bottom expansion plate desirably includes a pair of support arms that extend outwardly from the monitor plate, whereby each support arm includes an opening for securing the support arm to a television monitor and a support rib that surrounds the opening and extends to a location adjacent the monitor plate, the rib enhancing the structural integrity of the support arms of the bottom expansion plate. 
     In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a television mounting system includes a wall mount, a monitor plate adapter coupled with the wall mount, and a permanent linkage coupling the monitor plate adapter with the wall mount, whereby the permanent linkage enables the monitor plate adapter to selectively move relative to the wall mount. The mounting system desirably includes at least one tightening element coupled with the permanent linkage, whereby the at least one tightening element is movable to a first position for enabling movement of the monitor plate adapter relative to the wall mount and is movable to a second position for preventing movement of the monitor plate adapter relative to the wall mount. 
     The permanent linkage desirably includes a combination articulating and tilting link having an articulating linkage and a tilting linkage. The at least one tightening element preferably includes a first tightening knob coupled with the articulating linkage and a second tightening knob coupled with the tilting linkage. The articulating linkage desirably includes a shaft permanently connecting the wall mount and the combination articulating and tilting link. The first tightening knob is desirably coupled with the shaft. The tilting linkage desirably includes a second shaft permanently connecting the monitor plate adapter and the combination articulating and tilting link. The second tightening knob is preferably coupled with the second shaft. 
     The system also desirably includes a monitor plate mountable on the monitor plate adapter. The monitor plate preferably comprises mounting flanges extending along sides thereof that engage mating flanges on the monitor plate adapter. The monitor plate desirably includes a flange extending along an upper end thereof, the flange having at least one opening adapted to receive a fastener for securing the monitor plate to the monitor plate adapter. The monitor plate adapter preferably has a support ledge extending adjacent a lower end thereof and the monitor plate sits on the support ledge when the monitor plate is mounted on the monitor plate adapter. In other preferred embodiments, the monitor plate may sit on and be supported by the upper end of the monitor plate adapter, and/or the lower end of the monitor plate adapter. 
     In one embodiment, the system includes at least one expansion plate securable to the monitor plate. The at least one expansion plate preferably includes a top expansion plate securable to the monitor plate using one or more hooks extending from the top expansion plate and a bottom expansion plate securable to the monitor plate using one or more hooks extending from the bottom expansion plate. The system preferably includes fasteners extending through openings in the top and bottom expansion plates for securing the expansion plates to the monitor plate. The expansion plates desirably cover an area that is larger than an area covered by the monitor plate. The expansion plates preferably include openings for securing the expansion plates to a television monitor. 
     In one preferred embodiment, the wall mount includes a channel formed therein and a tool is insertable into the channel for storing the tool with the wall mount. The wall mount may have a ledge disposed adjacent an end of the channel for holding the tool inside the wall mount. In one embodiment, the tool is an Allen wrench having a longer section insertable into the channel and a shorter section adapted to engage the shelf on the wall mount. 
     The mounting system may include an articulating arm having a first end permanently coupled with the articulating linkage and a second end remote from the first end. The system may also include a second articulating arm having a first end coupled with the second end of the first arm and a second end coupled with the wall mount. The first and second articulating arms are desirably permanently connected together by a shaft for providing selective articulating movement. 
     In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a television mounting system includes a wall mount, a monitor plate adapter coupled with the wall mount, and a permanent linkage including an articulating arm for permanently coupling the monitor plate adapter with the wall mount for selectively moving the monitor plate adapter relative to the wall mount. The system preferably includes at least one tightening element coupled with the permanent linkage, whereby the at least one tightening element is movable to a first position for enabling movement of the monitor plate adapter relative to the wall mount and is movable to a second position for preventing movement of the monitor plate adapter relative to the wall mount. The permanent linkage desirably includes a second articulating arm for permanently coupling the monitor plate adapter with the wall mount, whereby the first and second articulating arms are permanently connected together. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a television mounting system includes a wall mount, a monitor plate adapter coupled with the wall mount, and a permanent linkage coupling the monitor plate adapter with the wall mount for selectively moving the monitor plate adapter relative to the wall mount. The permanent linkage desirably includes a cable management system that is adapted for guiding cables between the wall mount and the monitor plate adapter. The permanent linkage preferably allows selective articulating and tilting movement of the monitor plate adapter relative to the wall mount. The system desirably includes at least one tightening element coupled with the permanent linkage, whereby the at least one tightening element is movable to a first position for allowing movement of the monitor plate adapter relative to the wall mount and is movable to a second position for fixing the position of the monitor plate adapter relative to the wall mount. 
     In one preferred embodiment, the cable management system desirably includes a first housing having a first channel for guiding a first cable and a second housing having a second channel for guiding a second cable, whereby the first and second channels are spaced from one another for minimizing signal interference between the first and second cables. The first and second cables may be selected from the group consisting of an audio cable, a video cable and a power cable. The system desirably includes a first cap securable over the first channel for containing the first cable in the first housing and a second cap securable over the second channel for containing the second cable in the second housing. The first housing desirably has a first side wall and a second side wall and the first channel preferably extends between the first and second side walls, the first and second side walls including aligned slots. Pins may be inserted into the aligned slots in the first and second side walls of the first housing. The first housing has a longitudinal axis and the inserted pins desirably extend in a direction that traverses the longitudinal axis. The pins are preferably engageable with the first cable for maintaining the first cable in the first channel of the first housing. 
     In one embodiment, the aligned slots have an L-shape, and the pins are advanced into a short leg of the L-shaped slot when seated in the aligned slots. The first cap may have an underside having fingers that are insertable into a long leg of the L-shaped slot for holding the pins in the short leg of the L-shaped slot. The first cap preferably forms a friction fit with the first housing. 
     The system may also include a second housing having a first side wall and a second side wall and the second channel extends between the first side wall and the second side wall. The first and second side walls of the second housing desirably include aligned slots. Pins are desirably insertable into the aligned slots in said first and second side walls of the second housing. The second housing has a longitudinal axis and the inserted pins preferably extend in a direction that traverses the longitudinal axis. The pins are engageable with the second cable for maintaining the second cable in the second channel of the second housing. The aligned slots of the second housing preferably have an L-shape, whereby the pins are advanced into a short leg of the L-shaped slot when seated in the aligned slots. The second cap preferably has an underside having fingers that are insertable into a long leg of the L-shaped slot for holding the pins in the short leg of the L-shaped slots of the second housing. The second cap desirably forms a friction fit with the second housing. 
     In certain preferred embodiments, the cable management system may have only one housing for directing/holding wires. In other embodiments, the cable management system may have one housing that holds wires and a second housing that does not hold wires. 
     The system may also include a monitor plate mountable on the monitor plate adapter. The monitor plate desirably includes mounting flanges extending along sides thereof that engage mating flanges on the monitor plate adapter. The monitor plate may include a flange extending along an upper end thereof, the flange having at least one opening adapted to receive a fastener for securing the monitor plate to the monitor plate adapter. The monitor plate adapter desirably has a support ledge extending adjacent a lower end thereof and the monitor plate sits on the support ledge when the monitor plate is mounted on the monitor plate adapter. 
     The television mounting system may also include at least one expansion plate securable to the monitor plate. The at least one expansion plate preferably includes a top expansion plate securable to the monitor plate using one or more hooks extending from the top expansion plate and a bottom expansion plate securable to the monitor plate using one or more hooks extending from the bottom expansion plate. Fasteners, such as screws, may extend through openings in the top and bottom expansion plates for securing the expansion plates to the monitor plate. The expansion plates desirably cover an area that is larger than an area covered by the monitor plate. The expansion plates include openings for securing the expansion plates to a television monitor. 
     The wall mount of the television mounting system may include a channel formed therein whereby a tool is insertable into the channel for storing the tool with the wall mount. The wall mount may also include a ledge disposed adjacent an end of the channel for holding the tool inside the wall mount. The tool may be an L-shaped instrument commonly referred to as an Allen wrench having a longer section insertable into the channel and a shorter section adapted to engage the shelf on the wall mount. 
     In still another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a television mounting system includes a wall mount, a monitor plate adapter coupled with the wall mount, and a linkage coupling the monitor plate adapter with the wall mount for selectively moving the monitor plate adapter relative to the wall mount, the permanent linkage including a cable management system that is adapted for guiding cables between the wall mount and the monitor plate adapter. The linkage desirably allows selective articulating and tilting movement of the monitor plate adapter relative to the wall mount. The cable management system preferably includes a first housing having a first channel for guiding a first cable and a second housing having a second channel for guiding a second cable, whereby the first and second channels are spaced from one another for minimizing signal interference between the first and second cables. The first and second cables may include an audio cable, a video cable or a power cable. 
     A first cap is desirably securable over the first channel for containing the first cable in the first housing and a second cap is securable over the second channel for containing the second cable in the second housing. The first housing preferably has a first side wall and a second side wall and the first channel extends between the first and second side walls, the first and second side walls including aligned openings extending therethrough. Pins are desirably insertable into the aligned openings in the first and second side walls of the first housing. The first housing has a longitudinal axis and the pins are desirably inserted in the aligned openings in a direction that traverses the longitudinal axis. The pins are preferably engageable with the first cable for maintaining the first cable in the first channel of the first housing. The first cap desirably forms a friction fit with the first housing. 
     The system also desirably includes the second housing having a first side wall and a second side wall with the second channel extending between the first side wall and the second side wall, the first and second side walls of the second housing including aligned openings. Pins are preferably insertable into the aligned openings in the first and second side walls of the second housing. The second housing has a longitudinal axis and the inserted pins preferably extend in a direction that traverses the longitudinal axis. The pins are desirably engageable with the second cable for maintaining the second cable in the second channel of the second housing. The second cap desirably forms a friction fit with the second housing. 
     These and other preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail below. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIGS. 1A-1C  show a wall plate for a television mounting system, in accordance with certain preferred embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 2A-2C  show a monitor plate for a television mounting system, in accordance with certain preferred embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  shows the wall plate of  FIG. 1A  juxtaposed with the monitor plate of  FIG. 2A . 
         FIGS. 4A-4F  show the wall plate and the monitor plate of  FIG. 3  assembled together. 
         FIGS. 5A and 5B  show the wall plate and the monitor plate of  FIG. 3  assembled together. 
         FIGS. 6A and 6B  show a top expansion plate for a television mounting system, in accordance with certain preferred embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 7A and 7B  show a bottom expansion plate of a television mounting system, in accordance with certain preferred embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8A  shows the top and bottom expansion plates of  FIGS. 6A and 7A  assembled with the monitor plate of  FIGS. 2A-2C . 
         FIG. 8B  shows a front view of the top and bottom expansion plates of  FIG. 8A  in an expanded configuration. 
         FIG. 8C  shows a rear view of  FIG. 8B . 
         FIGS. 9A-9B  show a top large expansion plate and a bottom large expansion plate attached to a monitor plate, in accordance with certain preferred embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 10A-10B  show an exploded view of a tiltable mount for a television mounting system, in accordance with certain preferred embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 11A-11F  show the tiltable mount of  FIGS. 10A-10B  after assembly. 
         FIG. 12A  shows a front perspective view of the tiltable mount shown in  FIG. 11A . 
         FIG. 12B  shows a rear perspective view of the tiltable mount shown in  FIG. 11B . 
         FIG. 13  shows a top perspective view of the tiltable mount shown in  FIG. 12A . 
         FIG. 14A  shows the top and bottom expansion plates of  FIGS. 6A and 7A  attached to the tiltable mount shown in  FIG. 12A . 
         FIG. 14B  shows the top and bottom expansion plates of  FIG. 14A  in an expanded configuration. 
         FIGS. 15A and 15B  show a tilt and pan mount of a television mounting system, in accordance with certain preferred embodiments of the present. 
         FIGS. 16A and 16B  show exploded views of the tiltable and pan mount of  FIGS. 15A and 15B . 
         FIGS. 17A-17F  show other views of the tilt and pan mount of  FIG. 15A . 
         FIG. 18A  shows a front perspective view of a wall mount of the tiltable and pan mount of  FIG. 15A . 
         FIG. 18B  shows a rear perspective view of the wall mount of  FIG. 18A . 
         FIG. 19A  shows a cross sectional view of the tilt and pan mount of  FIG. 18A . 
         FIG. 19B  shows a tightening knob for use with the tilt and pan mount of  FIG. 19A . 
         FIG. 20A  shows a perspective view of a tilt and pan mount of  FIG. 15A  having top and bottom expansion plates secured thereto. 
         FIG. 20B  shows the tilt and pan mount of  FIG. 20A  with the top and bottom expansion plates in an expanded configuration. 
         FIG. 21  shows a side view of a tilt, pan and cantilever mount for a television mounting system, in accordance with certain preferred embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 22A-22C  show a side view of a tilt, pan and articulating mount for a television mounting system, in accordance with certain preferred embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 23  shows an exploded view of a tilt, pan and articulating mount for television mounting system, in accordance with certain preferred embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 24  shows the tilt, pan and articulating mount of  FIG. 23  in an assembled configuration. 
         FIG. 25  shows another view of the tilt, pan and articulating mount shown in  FIG. 24 . 
         FIG. 26  shows a rear view of a wall mount of the tilt, pan and articulating mount shown in  FIG. 24 . 
         FIG. 27  shows a cross sectional view of the tilt, pan and articulating mount shown in  FIG. 25 . 
         FIG. 28  shows a top view of a cable management system of the tilt, pan and articulating mount shown in  FIGS. 24 and 25 . 
         FIG. 29  shows a permanent linkage system for the tilt, pan and articulating mount shown in  FIG. 25 . 
         FIG. 30  shows other views of a permanent linkage system for the tilt, pan and articulating mount shown in  FIG. 25   
         FIG. 31A  shows top and bottom expansion plates attached to the tilt, pan and articulating mount shown in  FIG. 24 . 
         FIG. 31B  shows the top and bottom expansion plates of  FIG. 31A  in expanded configuration. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to  FIG. 1A , in accordance with certain preferred embodiments of the present invention, a wall plate  100  for a television mounting system includes an upper end  102 , a lower end  104 , a first side  106  and a second side  108 . The wall plate if preferably made of a rigid material such as metal. The wall plate  100  includes ribs  110  formed therein. The ribs strengthen the wall plate and prevent the sides  106 ,  108  of the wall plate from collapsing or bending toward one another when a load is applied to the wall plate. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1A-1C , the wall plate includes a first mating flange  112  provided adjacent the first side  106  of wall plate  100 . The wall plate  100  also includes a second mating flange  114  provided adjacent the second side  108  of the wall plate. In preferred embodiments, the mating flanges  112 ,  114  are curved for adding strength to the flanges. The mating flanges  112 ,  114  preferably extend between the upper end  102  and the lower end  104  of the wall plate. As will be described in more detail below, the mating flanges  112 ,  114  mesh with mounting flanges on a monitor plate for forming a section of a television mounting system. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1A and 1B , the wall plate includes a first keyhole opening  116  and a second keyhole opening  118 . After securing elements such as screws have been anchored in a wall, the first and second keyhole openings  116 ,  118  may be used for securing the wall plate to a wall. The wall plate  100  also includes a circular opening  120  that is aligned with the first and second keyhole openings  116 ,  118 . The circular opening  120  is smaller than the keyhole openings  116 ,  118  and is adapted to receive a fastener such as a screw for mounting the wall plate to a wall. The circular opening  120  is smaller than the keyhole openings so that it can better withstand stresses that are typically present at upper ends of base plates or mounting plates. The wall plate  100  also includes supplemental openings  122  that may also be used for anchoring the wall plate to a wall or a surface. 
       FIG. 1A  shows the surface of the wall plate  100  that is abutted against a wall, with the ribs  110  projecting away from the wall so that the wall plate may be placed flush with the wall.  FIG. 1B  shows the face of the wall plate  100  that faces away from the wall with the ribs  110  projecting away from the wall. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1B and 1C , the wall plate includes a pair of L-shaped flanges  124 A,  124 B that project from the lower end  104  of the wall plate. The flanges  124 A,  124 B include central openings  125  that are adapted to receive threaded inserts  126  that are press fit into the openings  125 . The threaded inserts  126 , which are shown in  FIGS. 1A and 3 , are adapted to receive threaded fasteners  164 , such as screws, bolts or the like (see  FIG. 3 ). 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2A-2C , in certain preferred embodiments of the present invention, a television mounting system includes a monitor plate  130  having an upper end  132 , a lower end  134 , a first side  136  and a second side  138 . Referring to  FIG. 2C , the monitor plate  130  includes an inner face  140  that opposes the wall plate shown in  FIGS. 1A-1C  and an outer face  142  that normally opposes the back or rear of a television monitor. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2A-2C , the monitor plate  130  includes a first mounting flange  144  extending along the first side  136  of the monitor plate and a second mounting flange  146  extending along the second side  138  of the mounting plate. As shown in  FIG. 2A , the first mounting flange  144  includes a first hook  148  and the second mount flange  146  includes a second hook  150 . The first and second hooks  148 ,  150  are adapted to engage upper ends of the mating flanges  112 ,  114  of the wall plate  100  shown in  FIG. 1B . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , the monitor plate  130  includes a series of expansion plate openings  152  extending therethrough. As will be described in more detail below, the expansion plate openings  152  enable the expansion plates (not shown) to be attached to the monitor plate. The monitor plate  130  also includes supplemental expansion plate openings  154  that may also be used for attaching the expansion plates to the monitor plate. The monitor plate  130  also includes an inner set of television mounting openings  156 A- 156 D that are used for mounting a television monitor to the monitor plate  130 . In certain preferred embodiments, fasteners such as screws are passed through the inner set of television mounting openings  156 - 156 D and into threaded openings located at the rear of a television monitor. In certain preferred embodiments, the inner set of television mounting openings  156 A- 156 D are used for providing a 75 mm by 75 mm mounting pattern. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , the mounting plate  130  also includes an outer set of television mounting openings  158 A- 158 D that are used for mounting a larger sized television monitor to the mounting plate. In one particular preferred embodiment, the outer set of television mounting openings  158 A- 158 D are used for a 100 by 100 mm mounting pattern. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2A , the monitor plate  130  includes L-shaped flanges  160 A,  160 B that project from the lower end  134  of the monitor plate  130 . Threaded inserts  162  are desirably press fit into the openings in the L-shaped flanges  160 A,  160 B. As will be described in more detail below, the L-shaped flanges  160 A,  160 B are used for connecting the monitor plate  130  to the wall plate  100  shown in  FIGS. 1A-1C . 
       FIG. 3  shows the wall plate  100  of  FIGS. 1A-1C  being juxtaposed with the monitor plate  130  of  FIGS. 2A-2C . Before assembling the wall plate  100  and the monitor plate  130  together, the inner face  127  (shown in  FIG. 1C ) of the wall plate  100  is juxtaposed with the inner face  140  of the monitor plate. The first and second mounting flanges  144 ,  146  on the monitor plate  130  are coupled with upper ends of the mating flanges  112 ,  114  of the wall plate. After the mounting flanges are coupled with the mating flanges, the monitor plate is slid toward the lower end  104  of the wall plate until the hooks  148 ,  150  on the monitor plate engage the upper ends of the mating flanges  112 ,  114 . After the hooks  148 ,  150  are firmly seated on the upper ends of the mating flanges  112 ,  114 , threaded fasteners  164  may be passed through the threaded inserts press fit into the L-shaped flanges on the respective wall plate  100  and monitor plate  130 . In certain preferred embodiments, the threaded fasteners  164  may be at least partially coupled with the threaded inserts on the L-shaped flanges of the wall plate  100  before the monitor plate  130  is assembled with the wall plate. As a result, the threaded fasteners will be pre-aligned with the openings in the threaded inserts once the monitor plate is coupled with the wall plate. In this particular embodiment, the threaded fasteners may be fully tightened after the wall plate  100  and the monitor plate  130  are coupled together for securing the wall plate  100  and the monitor  130  to one another. 
       FIGS. 4A-4F  show the monitor plate  130  assembled with the wall plate  100 . As shown in  FIGS. 4E and 4F , the upper end  102  of the wall plate  100  includes a top flange  166  that adds strength to the upper end of the wall plate and prevents the wall plate from bending forward under load. As shown in  FIGS. 4C and 4D , the mating flanges  112  on the wall plate  100  are captured within the mounting flanges  144 ,  146  on the monitor plate  130 . Referring to  FIG. 4B , the first and second hooks  148 ,  150  on the monitor plate engage the upper ends of the mating flanges  112 ,  114  on the wall plate  100 . 
       FIG. 5A  shows monitor plate  130  assembled with wall plate  100 . Threaded fasteners  164  extend through the threaded inserts press fit into the L-shaped flanges of the respective wall plate and monitor plate for securing the wall plate and monitor together.  FIG. 5B  shows the assembly of  FIG. 5A  with reinforcing ribs  110  being provided on the wall plate  100 . The reinforcing ribs  110  provide strength to the wall plate under load. The upper end  102  of the wall plate includes a top flange  166  that also provides strength to the wall plate under load. The projecting ribs  110  and the top flange  166  prevent the wall plate  100  from bending or folding under load. As a result, the ribs  110  and the top flange  166  enable the wall plate to carry more weight than is possible with prior art mounting systems. 
     Although the present invention is not limited by any particular theory of operation, it is believed that providing mounting flanges  144  and  146  on the monitor plate  130  that couple with mating flanges of the wall plate enables the assembly of the wall plate  110  and the monitor plate  130  to carry additional load. This is because the hooks  148 ,  150  on the monitor plates  130  engage the upper ends of the mating flanges on the wall plate  100 . Further structural support is provided by the L-shaped flanges of the respective wall plate and monitor plate that are connected together by passing a threaded fastener through the threaded inserts positioned on the L-shaped flanges. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 6A and 6B , in one preferred embodiment of the present invention, a television mounting system includes a top expansion plate  170  having a first face  172  that normally faces the back of a television monitor and a second face  174  that normally faces a monitor plate, such as the monitor plate shown and described above in  FIGS. 2A-2C . The top expansion plate  170  includes openings  176  that receive fasteners such as screws for securing the top expansion plate to the monitor plate. The top expansion plate  170  shown in  FIGS. 6A and 6B  has five openings  176  that are arranged in a particular configuration. One or more of the openings  176  may be utilized depending upon the size of the television monitor secured to the top expansion plate. The top expansion plate  170  also includes supplemental openings  178  that are also used for securing a television monitor to the top expansion plate. In certain preferred embodiments, the supplemental openings  178  enable a larger sized television monitor to be secured to the top expansion plate. One or more of the openings  176 ,  178  may include an elongated or slotted opening  180  which provides flexibility for securing a television monitor to the top expansion plate. This may be useful in instances where a circular opening does not exactly align with a mounting opening on a television monitor. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 6A and 6B , the top expansion plate  170  also includes hooks  182  that project from the second face  174  of the top expansion plate  170  and extend toward a lower end  184  of the top expansion plate. As will be described in more detail below, the hooks  182  preferably fit in the expansion plate openings  152  ( FIG. 2A ) of the monitor plate for providing enhanced weight bearing support for the top expansion plate. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7A and 7B , in certain preferred embodiments, the television mounting system also preferably includes a bottom expansion plate  186  including an upper end  188  and a lower end  190 . The bottom expansion plate  186  includes first openings  192  that are adapted to receive fasteners such as screws for securing the bottom expansion plate  186  to the rear of a television monitor. Fasteners may be passed through one or more of the first openings  192  depending upon the size of the television monitor and/or the mounting pattern on the rear of the television monitor. The bottom expansion plate  186  also includes second openings  194  which may be utilized for larger configurations and/or larger television monitors. Bottom expansion plate  186  has a first face  196  that confronts the back of the television monitor and a second face  198  that confronts the monitor plate when attached thereto. The bottom expansion plate  186  also preferably includes hooks  200  that project from the second face  198  and extend toward the lower end  190  thereof. The hooks  200  are preferably inserted into the expansion plate openings  152  ( FIG. 2A ) on the monitor plate for enhancing the load bearing capabilities of the bottom expansion plate. 
       FIG. 8A  shows the top expansion plate  170  and the bottom expansion plate  186  secured to the monitor plate  130  ( FIG. 5A ). Although not shown, fasteners are inserted into the openings  176 ,  192  of the expansion plates for securing the expansion plates to the monitor plate. In addition, the hooks  182 ,  200  fit into the expansion plate openings in the monitor plate for supporting the expansion plate and enhancing the load bearing capabilities of the expansion plates. In  FIG. 8A , the top and bottom expansion plates  170 ,  186  are attached to the monitor plate in a first configuration. In one particular preferred embodiment, the attachment of the top and bottom expansion plates to the monitor plate provides a 200×100 mm configuration for supporting a television monitor having that particular size. However, different openings on the top and bottom expansion plates  170 ,  186  may be used for supporting television monitors having a different (e.g., larger) sizes. 
       FIG. 8B  shows the top and bottom expansion plates  170 ,  186  secured to the monitor plate  130  in an expanded configuration. The hooks  182 ,  200  are inserted into a different set of openings closer to the upper and the lower end of the monitor plate. One or more fasteners are passed through the openings  176 ,  192  in the expansion plates for securing the expansion plates to the monitor plate. 
       FIG. 8C  shows a rear side view of the top and bottom expansion plates  170 ,  186  attached to the monitor plate  130 . The hooks  182  on the top expansion plate  170  extend through expansion plate openings  152  in the monitor plate  130  for supporting the top expansion plate  170 . The hooks  200  on the bottom expansion plate  186  extend through other expansion plate openings  152  on the monitor plate  130  for supporting the bottom expansion plate. Fasteners  202  such as screws extend through openings in the monitor plate  130  and openings in the respective top and bottom expansion plates  170 ,  186  for securing the expansion plates to the monitor plates. Locking nuts may be coupled with the hooks. More or less fasteners  202  than shown in  FIG. 8C  may be utilizing for securing the expansion plates to the monitor plates. In  FIG. 8C  the top and bottom expansion plates are secured to the monitor plate in an expanded configuration. If a smaller configuration such as the configuration shown in  FIG. 8A  is desired, the hooks  182 ,  200  of the respective expansion plates are secured in the centrally located expansion plate openings  152 A,  152 B on the monitor plate  130 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 9A-9C , in accordance with certain preferred embodiments of the present invention, a large top expansion plate  204  and a large bottom expansion plate  206  may be secured to the monitor plate  130  shown and described above in  FIGS. 2A-2C . Referring to  FIG. 9A , the large top expansion plate  204  includes hooks  208  located in a central, monitor plate mounting area  210 . The hooks  208  are adapted to pass through expansion plate openings in the monitor plate for securing the large top expansion plate  204  to the monitor plate. The large top expansion plate  204  also includes a first arm  212  and a second arm  214  extending from the central, monitor plate mounting area  210 . The first arm  212  includes at least one opening  216  through which a fastener may be passed for securing a television monitor to the first arm  212 . The first arm  212  also includes a rib  218  that extends around the opening  216  and inwardly to an area adjacent to the central, monitor plate mounting area  210 . Although the present invention is not limited by any particular theory of operation, it is believed that the rib  218  enhances the strength of the first arm  212  at certain stress points such as stress points located around the opening  216  and in the area around the central, monitor plate mounting area  210 . Laboratory studies have shown that some of the greatest load stresses occur around the opening  216  and in the area where the arm  212  extends to the central, monitor plate mounting area  210 . Thus, providing a rib  218  on the arm  212  will strengthen the arm and provide a reliable structure for handling the stresses under load. 
     The second arm  212  of the large top expansion plate  204  has one or more openings  220  for receiving a fastener for fastening a television monitor to the second arm  214 . Second arm  214  also includes a rib  222  similar to the rib  218 . Rib  222  also enhances the strength of the second arm as described above with respect to the rib on the first arm  212 . 
     The assembly shown in  FIG. 9A  also includes the large bottom expansion plate  206  including first arm  224  having at least one opening  226  for receiving a fastener and a rib  228 . The large bottom expansion plate  206  also includes a second arm  230  having one or more opening  232  and a rib  234 . The large bottom expansion plate  206  also includes hooks  236  that pass through openings in the monitor plate for supporting the large bottom expansion plate on the monitor plate. 
     Referring to  FIG. 9B , when the large top expansion plate  204  is assembled with the monitor plate  130 , the hooks  208  on the large top expansion plate pass through some of the expansion plate openings in the monitor plate  130 . Similarly, when the large bottom expansion plate  206  is assembled with the monitor plate  130 , the hooks  236  on the large bottom expansion plate pass through some of the openings in the monitor plate  130 . Preferably, openings  216 ,  220 ,  226  and  232  on the respective large top and bottom expansion plates are aligned with openings on a television monitor. Fasteners may pass through the openings  216 ,  220 ,  226  and  232  for securing the respective large top and bottom expansion plates to a television monitor. After the expansion plates are secured to the television, the television, the top and bottom expansion plates  204 ,  206  and the monitor plate  130  secured thereto may be attached to a wall plate similar to the wall plate shown and described above in  FIGS. 1A-1C . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 10A and 10B , in certain preferred embodiments of the present invention, a television mounting system includes a tiltable mount  298  having a wall plate  300  with an upper end  302 , a lower end  304 , a first side  306  and a second side  308 . The wall plate  300  includes ribs  310  formed therein that enhance the strength of the wall plate under load. Wall plate  300  also includes a top flange  366  that further enhances the strength of the wall plate under load. The wall plate  300  includes opening similar to the openings shown and described above in the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1A-1C . Referring to  FIG. 10A , the wall plate  300  includes a first keyhole opening  316  and a second keyhole opening  318 . After fasteners are secured to a wall, the first and second keyhole openings  316 ,  318  may be used for mounting the wall plate  300  to the wall. The wall plate  300  also includes an additional opening  320  aligned with the first and second keyhole openings. The additional opening  320  also receives a fastener for mounting the wall plate  300  to a wall. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 10A and 10B , the wall plate  300  also includes supplemental openings  322  that may also be used for mounting the wall plate  300  to a wall. Although a particular pattern of supplemental openings  322  is shown, the pattern may be modified and include more or less than the number of openings shown in the drawing figures. 
     The first side  306  of the wall plate  300  includes an elongated slot  323 . Similarly, the second side  308  of the wall plate  300  includes an elongated slot  325 . As will be described in more detail below, the elongated slots  323 ,  325  enable a tilting mechanism to slide along the slots  323 ,  325  to enable the tilting mechanism to tilt relative to the wall plate  300 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 10A-10B , the television mounting system also includes a monitor plate  330  that is preferably similar to the monitor plate shown and described above in  FIGS. 2A-2C . The tilting mount  298  also preferably includes a tilt mechanism  380  including a first side  382  having a first mating flange  384  and a second side  386  having a second mating flange  388 . The mounting flanges  344 ,  346  on the monitor plate  330  are slideable over the mating flanges  384 ,  388  on the tilt mechanism  380 . The hooks  348 ,  350  on the mounting flanges preferably engage upper ends of the mating flanges  384 ,  388  on the tilt mechanism  380  for coupling the monitor plate  330  with the tilt mechanism  380 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 10A , the lower end of the monitor plate  330  includes L-shaped flanges  360  that are preferably aligned with opposing flanges  390  on the tilt mechanism  380 . The flanges  390  include one or more openings  392  that are preferably aligned with the openings on the L-shaped flanges  360  of the monitor plate. Fasteners may be passed through the openings for securing the L-shaped flanges  360  of the monitor plate  330  with the flanges  390  of the tilt mechanism  380 . 
     The tilt mechanism  380  is assembled with the wall plate  300  by aligning openings  327 ,  329  at the respective first and second sides  306 ,  308  of the wall plate  300  with openings  394 ,  396  formed in the sides of the tilt mechanism. Thus, opening  327  of the wall plate is aligned with opening  396  of the tilt mechanism, and opening  329  of the wall plate is aligned with opening  394  of the tilt mechanism. A first fastener may be passed through the aligned openings  327  and  396  and a second fastener may be passed through the aligned openings  329  and  394 . Similarly, the openings at an upper end of the tilt mechanism may be aligned with the slots  323 ,  325  in the wall plate  300 . Fasteners may also be passed through these aligned openings. The elongated slots  323 ,  325  enable the tilt mechanism  380  to tilt relative to the wall plate. 
     In order to mount a television monitor to a wall, the wall plate  300  is first secured to a wall as described above. The tilt mechanism  380  is then assembled with the wall plate  300 . As noted above, due to the elongated slots  323 ,  325  provided in a wall plate, the tilt mechanism  380  is able to tilt relative to the wall plate  300 . The monitor plate  330  is then attached to the rear surface of a television monitor by passing fasteners through one or more openings of the monitor plate and into mounting holes in the television monitor. After the monitor plate is attached to the television monitor, the television monitor and the attached monitor plate are coupled with the tilt mechanism  380  by sliding the mounting flanges  344 ,  346  of the monitor plate over the mating flanges  384 ,  388  of the tilt mechanism. 
       FIGS. 11A-11F  show the tilt mount  298 , after the monitor plate  330  has been coupled with the wall plate  300 . The upper fasteners  335 , when untightened, are able to slide within slots  323 ,  325 . This enables the monitor plate  330  and the tilt mechanism  380  to tilt relative to the wall plate  300 . When a preferred angle of tilt has been obtained, the upper fasteners  335  may be tightened for securing the monitor plate  330  at a preferred angle or orientation relative to the wall plate. Lower fasteners  337  may also be loosened and tightened for selectively enabling the monitor plate  330  to be tilted and secured in a preferred orientation. 
       FIG. 12A  shows a front perspective view of the tilt mount  298 . Although not shown, in preferred embodiments, a television monitor is attached to the monitor plate  330  prior to attachment of the monitor plate to the tilt mechanism (not shown) and the wall plate  300 .  FIG. 12B  shows a rear perspective view of the tilt mount  298  including wall plate  300  that is preferably attached to a wall. As noted above, the wall plate  300  includes one or more ribs  310  and a top flange  366  extending along an edge of the wall plate  300 . The ribs  310  and the top flange  366  enhance the strength of the wall plate. 
       FIG. 13  shows a top perspective view of the tilt mount  298  shown in  FIGS. 11A-11F  and  12 - 12 B. The tilt mount  298  includes wall plate  300 , tilt mechanism  380  and monitor plate  330  coupled with tilt mechanism  380 . The tilt mount  298  includes upper fasteners  335  that pass through the slots (not shown) in the sides of the wall plate  300 . In one embodiments, the inner ends of the fasteners include fixed nuts  339  secured thereto that cannot be removed from the inner ends of the upper fasteners  335 . This structure creates a permanent unbreakable linkage between the wall plate  300  and the tilt mechanism  380 . Similarly, the lower fasteners  337  may also include fixed nuts  341  secured to inner ends thereof, which form a permanent, unbreakable connection between the tilt mechanism  380  and the wall plate  300 . The fixed nuts  339 ,  341  prevent unintentional disassembly of the tilt mount  298  so that the structure will not collapse by loosening the upper and lower fasteners  335 ,  337 . Without the fixed nuts  339 ,  341 , it may be possible for an individual to loosen fasteners, which could result in the mounting system collapsing and a television monitor crashing to the floor. Thus, the fixed nuts  339 ,  341  provide a reliable mechanism for preventing accidental damage to a television monitor. In other embodiments, the fixed nuts may be replaced by a C-clip provided over the end of the fastener so as to prevent unintentional disassembly of the tilt mount. A permanent unbreakable linkage may also be created by deforming the inner ends of the fasteners so that the fasteners may not be removed. In other embodiments, any type of fastening element may be used that makes disassembly of the tilting mechanism from the wall plate very difficult or nearly impossible. 
     As shown in  FIG. 13 , the openings of the L-shaped flanges on the monitor plate  330  are aligned with the openings on the flanges on the tilt mechanism  380 . Fasteners such as screws may be passed through the aligned openings for securing the monitor plate  330  to the tilt mechanism  380 . Threaded inserts may be press fit into the opening in the flanges and used for pre-aligning the fasteners with the openings in the flanges. In addition, the mating flanges on the tilt mechanism  380  are captured within the mounting flanges  344 ,  346  on the monitor plate  330 . 
       FIG. 14A  shows a top expansion plate  370  and a bottom expansion plate  386  secured to a monitor plate of the tilt mechanism shown in  FIGS. 12A-12B . In  FIG. 14A , the top and bottom expansion plates  370 ,  386  are attached to the tilt mount  298  in a first configuration that may be a 200×100 mm configuration. 
       FIG. 14B  shows the top expansion plate  370  and the bottom expansion plate  386  secured to the monitor plate  330  in an expanded configuration. In certain preferred embodiments, the expanded configuration may be a 200×200 mm configuration. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 15A and 15B , in further preferred embodiments of the present invention, a television mounting system includes a tilt and pan mount  400 . The tilt and pan mount  400  includes a wall mount  402  that is attached to a wall, a monitor plate adapter  404  and a linkage  406  that couples the monitor plate adapter with the wall mount. As will be described in more detail below, the linkage  406  enables the monitor plate adapter to pan and tilt relative to the wall mount  402 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 16A and 16B , the tilt and pan mount  400  includes the wall mount  402  having a first face  408  that is abutted against a wall and a second face  410  that preferably faces away from the wall. The wall mount  402  also includes an upper end  410  and a lower end  412 . The wall mount has one or more openings  414  extending from the first face  408  to the second face  410 . Fasteners may be passed through the openings  414  for securing the wall mount to a wall. Referring to  FIG. 16A , the lower end  412  of the wall mount  402  includes a ledge  416  that supports a portion of an Allen wrench  418 . Referring to  FIG. 16B , an elongated groove or slot  420  is formed in the rear face  408  of the wall mount  402 . When the Allen wrench  418  is rotated in a certain orientation, the elongated shaft of the Allen wrench  418  may be slid into the groove  420 . Once the elongated shaft of the Allen wrench is completely inserted into the groove  420 , the shorter section  422  of the Allen wrench may be rotated so that it sits atop the ledge  416 . The above described structure provides a storage location for the Allen wrench  418  so that it may be continuously stored with the tilt and pan mount and easily accessed when needed for adjusting the tilt and pan mount. 
     Referring to  FIG. 16A , after fasteners have been passed through the openings  414  for securing the wall mount  402  to a wall, plugs  424  may be press fit over the openings so as to provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance for the wall mount. 
     The wall mount  402  has an articulating link  426  projecting from the front face  410  thereof. The articulating link  426  includes an opening  428  adapted to receive a shaft  430 . The shaft  430  preferably fits within the opening  428  and is able to rotate within the opening  428  for providing a panning motion for the monitor plate adapter  404 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 16A and 16B , an upper end of the shaft  430  includes a tilt and pan link  432  attached thereto. The tilt and pan link  432  is preferably attached to the upper end of the shaft  430  and rotates simultaneously with the shaft. The tilt and pan link  432  includes an opening  434  that is preferably aligned with an opening  436  on a tilt link  438  attached to a back side of monitor plate adapter  404 . During assembly, a second shaft  440  is passed through aligned openings  434 ,  436  for coupling the monitor plate adapter  404  with the tilt and pan link  432 . The second shaft  440  enables the monitor plate adapter  404  to tilt relative to the tilt and pan link  432 . The above-described linkage assembly enables the monitor plate adapter  404  to both pan and tilt relative to the wall plate  402 . 
     The tilt and pan mount  400  also includes a monitor plate  442  that may be assembled with the monitor plate adapter  404 . The monitor plate  442  includes an upper end  444  and a lower end  446 . The upper end  444  includes a top flange  448  having openings for  450  for receiving fasteners  452 . The openings  450  are preferably aligned with openings  454  provided at an upper end of the monitor plate adapter. The monitor plate adapter  442  preferably includes first and second mounting flanges  456 ,  458 . The mounting flanges are preferably slid into mating flanges  460 ,  462  provided on the monitor plate adapter  404 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 17A and 17B , the wall mount  402  preferably includes a ledge  416  that supports the Allen wrench  418  for storage inside the wall mount. After the longer shaft of the Allen wrench has been slid into a groove formed inside the wall mount  402 , the shorter shaft of the Allen wrench may be rotated so that it sits atop the ledge  416 . The above-described structure provides a storage location for the Allen wrench and increases the chances that the Allen wrench can be easily retrieved when necessary for adjusting the tilt and pan mount  400 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 17A , the monitor plate includes first openings  470  that are adapted to receive the hooks on the expansion plates shown and described above in  FIGS. 6A-6B  and  7 A- 7 C. The monitor plate  442  includes a plurality of the first openings  470  for providing flexibility for securing the expansion plates to the monitor plate. The monitor plate  442  also include second opening  472  that receive fasteners such as screws for securing the expansion plates to the monitor plate  442 . As the monitor plate adapter  404  tilts and pans, the monitor plate  442  move simultaneously therewith. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 17C and 17D , the tilt and pan mount  400  includes a first tightening knob  474  that may be loosened for enabling the monitor plate adapter  404  to tilt relative to the wall mount  402 . When the desired tilt is achieved, the tightening knob  474  may be tightened for securing the monitor plate adapter  404  in place and preventing further tilting movement of the monitor plate adapter relative to the wall mount  402 . 
       FIGS. 17E and 17F  show the tilt and pan mount  400  including a second tightening knob  476  that may be loosened for enabling the monitor plate adapter  404  to pan relative to the wall mount  402 . When the monitor plate adapter  404  has been panned to a preferred location, the tightening knob  476  may be retightened for preventing further panning movement of the monitor plate adapter  404  relative to the wall mount  402 . 
       FIGS. 18A and 18B  show the Allen wrench  418  stored inside the wall mount  402 . Referring to  FIG. 18B , the wall mount  402  includes an elongated groove or channel  420  that receives the long shaft of the Allen wrench  418 . When the long shaft of the Allen wrench  418  has been fully inserted into the groove  420 , the short shaft  422  of the Allen wrench  418  may be rotated so that it sits atop the ledge  416  at a lower end of the wall mount  402 . The structures shown in  FIGS. 18A and 18B  enables the Allen wrench to be stored with the wall mount  402  at all times and easily retrieved when necessary for adjusting the tilt and pan mount shown in  FIGS. 17A-17F . 
       FIG. 19A  shows a cross sectional view of the tilt and pan mount shown in  FIG. 17A-17F . The monitor plate adapter  404  is permanently attached to the wall mount  402  by shaft  430 . As noted above, the shaft  430  may not be removed from the assembly so that the monitor plate adapter  404  is permanently attached to the wall mount  402 . Referring to  FIGS. 19A and 19B , a rotatable tightening knob  476  is coupled with an upper end of the shaft  430 . When the tightening knob  476  is loosened, the monitor plate adapter  404  is able to articulate relative to the wall mount  402  to provide a panning movement. When the tightening knob  476  is tightened, the monitor plate adapter  404  is secured in place and is no longer able to pan relative to the wall mount  402 . 
     When the monitor plate  442  is assembled with monitor plate adapter  404 , top flange  448  abuts against a shelf provided at an upper end of the monitor plate adapter. A fastener  452  may then be passed through opening  450  for securing the monitor plate  442  to the monitor plate adapter  404 . 
       FIG. 20A  shows the tilt and pan mount  400  of  FIGS. 17A-17F  with a top expansion plate  470  and a bottom expansion plate  486  secured to a monitor plate (not shown). In  FIG. 20A , the top and bottom expansion plates  470 ,  486  are in a non-expanded configuration. In  FIG. 20 , the top and bottom expansion plates  470 ,  486  are secured to the monitor plate  442  of the tilt and pan mount  400  in an expanded configuration. As is evident, the expanded configuration shown in  FIG. 20B  is able to secure a larger sized television monitor than is possible when using the non-expanded configuration shown in  FIG. 20A . The top and bottom expansion plates  470 ,  486  include a plurality of openings that may have fasteners passed therethrough for attaching a television monitor to the top and bottom expansion plates. 
       FIG. 21  shows a tilt, pan and cantilever mount for a television mounting system, in accordance with further preferred embodiments of the present invention. The tilt, pan an cantilever mount contains many of the features shown and described above in conjunction with the embodiment of  FIGS. 17A-17F . 
     The mount  500  includes a wall mount  502  that is coupled with a monitor plate adapter  504  by an articulating arm  515 . The wall mount  502  includes an articulating link  526  having an internal shaft (not shown) that permanently couples the arm  515  with the wall mount through the articulating link  526 . The mount  500  also includes a tilt and pan link  532  having a shaft (not shown) that permanently couples the tilt and pan link  532  with the articulating arm  515 . The mount  500  also includes another shaft (not shown) that couples the monitor plate adapter  504  with the tilt and pan link  532  to provide a tilting action. 
     The tilt, pan, and cantilever mount  500  includes three tightening knobs  474 ,  475  and  476 . The first tightening knob  474  may be loosened for enabling the monitor adaptor plate  504  to tilt relative to the wall mount  502 . The second tightening knob  475  may be loosened for enabling the articulating arm  515  to articulate relative to the wall mount  502 . The third tightening knob  476  may be loosened for enabling the tilt and pan link  532  to articulate relative to the articulating arm  515 . The shafts that interconnect the components are preferably permanent connections so that the arm  515  may not be decoupled from the articulating link  526  and the tilt and pan link  532 . Similarly, the shaft permanently couples the monitor plate adaptor  504  with the tilt and pan link  532  so that it cannot be disassembled. After the monitor plate adaptor  504  has been panned and tilted to the appropriate orientation, the tightening knobs  474 ,  475  and  476  may be tightened for holding the monitor adaptor plate  504  stationary relative to the wall mount  502 . 
     The articulating arm  515  may have a hollow channel extending from a first end to a second end thereof. Cables such as audio, video and/or power cables may be passed through the channel extending from the first end to the second end of the articulating arm  515 . The channel in the articulating arm  515  enables the cables to be controlled and directed as they extend from the wall mount  502  to a television monitor secured to the television mounting system  500 . 
     Although the present invention is not limited by any particular theory of operation, it is believed that providing the articulating arm  515  having a length results in the monitor adaptor plate  504  being spaced away from the wall mount  502 . As a result, a television monitor may be secured to the television mounting system and panned or tilted without an edge of the monitor striking the wall to which the wall mount  502  is secured. Without the articulating arm  515 , a television monitor secured to the television mounting system  500  may strike a wall before it is properly tilted and/or panned to a desired orientation. Thus, the articulating arm  515  provides more space between the television monitor and the wall and provides more flexibility for tilting and panning. 
       FIGS. 22A-22C  show a television mounting system including a tilt, pan and articulating mount  600 . The mount  600  includes a monitor plate adaptor  604  that is coupled with a wall mount  602  by a first articulating arm  615  and a second articulating arm  617 . The first articulating arm  615  has a first end  619  and a second end  621 . The second articulating arm  617  has a first end  623  and a second end  625 . The first end  619  of the first articulating arm  615  is coupled with an articulating link  626  secured to the wall mount  602 . The second end  621  of the first articulating arm  615  is coupled to the first end  623  of the second articulating arm  617  by an internal shaft (not shown) that permanently connects the first and second arms together. The second end  625  of the second arm  617  is coupled to a tilt and pan link  632  by an internal shaft (not shown). The monitor plate adaptor  604  is coupled with the tilt and pan link  632  by a tilt support  638  that provides for tilting motion. 
     The tilt, pan and articulating mount includes permanent linkages formed between the first end  619  of the first articulating arm  615  and the articulating support  626 . A permanent articulating linkage is also formed between the second end  621  of first arm  615  and the first end  623  of second arm  617 . Another permanent articulating linkage is formed between the second end  625  of second arm  617  and the tilt and pan link  632 . Finally, a permanent tilting linkage is formed between the tilt and pan link  632  and the tilt support  638  provided on a back face of the monitor plate adaptor  604 . 
     The tilt, pan and articulating mount  600  includes a number of tightening knobs that may be loosened for enabling the parts to articulate and/or tilt. The tightening knobs may be tightened when a desired position for the monitor plate adaptor  604  relative to the wall mount  602  has been obtained. Even if the tightening knobs are completely loosened and removed, the permanent linkages ensure that the tilt, pan and articulating mount cannot be dissembled and/or collapse. 
       FIG. 22B  shows some of the permanent linkages that couple the monitor plate adaptor  604  with the wall mount  602 .  FIG. 22C  shows other permanent linkages that couple the monitor plate adaptor  604  with the wall mount  602 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 23 , in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a television mounting system includes a tilt, pan and articulating mount  700  having cable management. As used herein, the terminology cable management means that the routing of the audio, video and/or power cables between a wall and a television monitor may be controlled. Controlling these cables may be desirable to enhance the overall aesthetic appearance of a television system. Control of the cables may also be desirable so as to minimize interference between the power, audio and/or video cables. For example, running a power cable directly next to an audio cable may result in signal interference that diminishes the quality of the audio signal. The same may also apply for video cables. Thus, the cable management system seeks to route the video, audio and/or power cables so as to maximize aesthetic appearance and/or maximize the quality of the audio and video of the television monitor. 
     The tilt, pan and articulating mount  700  includes a wall mount  702 , a monitor plate adaptor  704  and a monitor plate  742  that are substantially similar in design and function as the embodiment shown and described above in conjunction with  FIGS. 17A-17F . The mount  700  includes a cable management system  800  that controls the audio, video and power cables extending from the wall mount  702  to a television monitor secured to the monitor plate  742 . The cable management system  800  also incorporates a structure that enables the monitor adaptor plate  704  to pan and tilt relative to the wall mount  702 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 23 , the mounting system includes a first housing  802  and a second housing  804  that are coupled together by a first articulating link  806  and a second articulating link  808 . The first housing  802  includes a channel  810  extending from a first end to a second end thereof. Audio, video and/or power cables may be passed through the channel from the first end to the second end. Before the cables may be passed through the channel  810 , the end caps  852 ,  854  are removed. In addition, a top cap  812  is removed for accessing the channel  810 . The second housing  804  has a similar structure as the first housing including a channel (not shown). A top cap  814  is removed for accessing the channel of the second housing  804 . 
     The tilt, pan and articulating mount  700  includes a series of permanent linkages that interconnect the components and enable the monitor plate adaptor  704  to articulate and tilt relative to the wall mount  702 . The mount system  700  includes a first shaft  816  that permanently connects a first end of first articulating link  806  with articulating support  826  provided on wall mount  702 . The mount system  700  also includes a second shaft  818  that permanently couples a second end of the first articulating link  806  with the first housing  802  and the second housing  804 . The mount system  700  includes a third shaft  820  that permanently couples the first end of the second articulating link  808  with the first housing  802  and the second housing  804 . The mount system  700  also has a fourth shaft  822  that permanently couples the second end of the second articulating link  808  with a tilt and pan link  832 . Finally, the mount system  700  includes a fifth shaft  824  that permanently couples the tilt and pan link  832  with a tilt linkage  838  provided on a rear surface of the monitor plate adaptor  704 . The mount system  700  also includes tightening knobs  874  that are coupled with the shafts  816 ,  818 ,  820 ,  822  and  824 . The tightening knobs  874  may be loosened for enabling articulating or tilting motion of the monitor plate adapter  704 . The tightening knobs  874  may be tightened when the monitor plate adaptor  704  has been articulated and/or tilted to a desired orientation relative to the wall mount  702 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 23 , similar to the structure disclosed in embodiments above, the shafts  816 ,  818 ,  820 ,  822  and  824  form permanent linkage between the various components of the assembly. The first shaft  816  forms a permanent linkage between the first articulating link  806  and the wall mount  702  that enables the first articulating link  806  to articulate relative to the wall mount  702 . The second shaft  818  forms a permanent linkage between an opposite end of the first articulating link  806  and first ends of the first and second housings  802 ,  804 . The second shaft  818  enables the first and second housings  802  and  804  to articulate relative to the first articulating link  806 . The third shaft  820  forms a permanent linkage between the second articulating link  808  and first and second housings  802 ,  804 . The third shaft  820  enables the second articulating link  808  to articulate relative to the first and second housings  802 ,  804 . The fourth shaft  822  provides a permanent linkage between the second articulating link  808  and the pan and tilt link  832 . The fourth shaft  822  enables the pan and tilt link  832  to articulate relative to the first link  806 . The fifth shaft  824  provides a permanent link between the monitor plate adapter  704  and the pan and tilt  832 . The fifth shaft  824  enables the monitor plate adapter  704  to tilt relative to the pan and tilt link  832 . The assembly  700  also includes tightening knobs  874 . The tightening knobs are preferably coupled with the five shafts  816 ,  818 ,  820 ,  822  and  824 . When the tightening knobs are loosened, the components linked by the shafts are able to move relative to one another. When the tightening knobs  874  are tightened, however, the components linked by the shafts are not free to move relative to one another. 
       FIGS. 24 and 25  show the assembly  700  of  FIG. 23  after the components have been assembled together. The assembly includes wall mount  702 , cable management system  800 , monitor plate adapter  704  and monitor plate  742 . 
       FIG. 26  shows a rear side of wall mount  702  including a groove  720  formed in the rear surface of the wall mount for securing an Allen wrench  718 . 
       FIG. 27  shows a cross sectional view of the assembly  700  shown in  FIG. 25 . As shown in  FIG. 27 , first shaft  816  forms a permanent articulating linkage between wall mount  702  and first articulating linkage  806 . The second shaft  818  forms a permanent linkage between first articulating link  806  and first housing  802  and second housing  804 . Third shaft  820  forms a permanent link between second articulating link  808  and first and second housings  802 ,  804 . Fourth shaft  822  provides a permanent articulating linkage between second articulating link  808  and the pan and tilt linkage  832 . Fifth shaft  824  provides a tilting linkage between the monitor plate adapter  704  and the pan and tilt linkage  832 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 28 , the first housing  802  has a channel  810  that extends between first side wall  840  and second side wall  842 . The first and second side walls  840 ,  842  include aligned L-shaped slots  844  that are adapted to receive pins  846 . If it is desirable to pass audio/video and or power cables through the channel  810 , the cap  812  is removed to expose channel  810 . The cables are then passed through the well from a first end  848  to a second end  850  thereof. Once the cables have been properly positioned within the well  810 , the pins  846  are positioned in the L-shaped slots and advanced towards the second end  850  of the housing  802 . The cap  812  is then secured atop the housing  802  and over the channel  810 . The underside of the cap  812  includes fingers  852  that are preferably advanced into the L-shaped slots  844 . The insertion of the fingers  852  into the L-shaped slots prevents the pins  846  from retracting from the slots. 
     Referring to  FIG. 23 , when audio, video and/or power cables are passed through the housing  802 , the end caps  852 ,  854  must first be removed from the respective first and second ends  848 ,  850  of the housing  802 . The end caps  852 ,  854  remain removed from the housing  802  when cables extend therethrough. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 27 and 28 , the second housing  804  has a structure similar to the structure found in the first housing  802 . Thus, audio, video and/or power cables may also be passed through a channel extending between first and second ends of the second housing  804 . In certain preferred embodiments, it may be advisable to separate audio and video cables from power cables. Thus, in particular embodiments, the audio and video cables may be passed through the first housing  802  and the power cables may be passed through the second housing  804 . Such a configuration may minimize interference caused by current running through the power cables. In other embodiments, the audio and video cables may be passed through the second housing  804  and the power cable may be passed through the first housing  802 . The particular configuration is not significant so long as the audio and video cables are separated from the power cables. In still other preferred embodiments, it may be advisable to separate the audio and video cables from one another by passing the audio cables through one of the housing and the video cables through the other housing. 
       FIG. 29  shows the permanent linkage of the first articulating link  806  with the first housing  802  and the second housing  804 . The second shaft  818  provides the permanent, unbreakable linkage. The tightening knob  875  may be loosened for allowing articulating movement of the first articulating link  806  relative to the first and second housing  802 ,  804 . The knob  875  may be tightened for preventing further movement of the first articulating link  806  relative to the first and second housings  802 ,  804 . The assembly  700  also includes another permanent linkage formed using first shaft  816  that connects first articulating linkage  806  with wall mounts  702 . Tightening knob  874  may be loosened for enabling articulating movement between the wall mount  702  and the first articulating link  808 . The tightening knob  874  may be tightened for preventing further articulating movement between the wall mount  702  and the first articulating link  806 . 
       FIG. 30  shows an additional permanent linkage interconnecting the monitor plate adapter  704  and the second articulating link  808 . The permanent linkage is providing by the fourth shaft  822  that permanently couples the second articulating link  808  and the tilt and pan link  832 . The fourth shaft  822  provides a permanent, unbreakable articulating linkage between the tilt and pan link  832  and the second articulating link  808 .  FIG. 30  also shows a fifth shaft  824  that provides a permanent panning link between the monitor plate adapter  704  and the tilt and pan link  832 . In addition, the assembly includes third shaft  820  that provides a permanent link between the first housing  802  and the second housing (not shown) with the second articulating link  808 . As described above, the tightening knobs may be loosened or tightened depending on whether tilting and/or panning movement is desired. 
       FIG. 31A  shows the assembly shown in  FIG. 24  with a top expansion plate  870  and a bottom expansion plate  886  secured to a monitor plate (not shown).  FIG. 31B  shows top expansion plate  870  and bottom expansion plate  886  secured to monitor plate  742 . In  FIG. 31A , the expansion plates  870 ,  886  are in a normal or non-expanded configuration. In  FIG. 31B , the expansion plates  870 ,  886  are in an expanded configuration for securing a larger sized television. 
     Although the invention herein has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present invention. It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 5