Abstract:
A wall mounting system for connecting a back of a flat or curved screen to a wall, including, a mounting interface having semi-spherical depressions, multiple elongated beams having matching, semi-spherical depressions for adjustably coupling with the semi-spherical depressions of the mounting interface, wherein the semi-spherical depressions of the elongated beams and the mounting interface have holes for non-movably coupling between them once adjusted, wherein each elongated beam has one or more cut out portions for attaching the elongated beam to the back of the screen: and wherein the mounting interface serves as an interface for holding the screen while it is attached to the wall by the mounting system.

Description:
[0001]    TECHNICAL FIELD 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to await mount arm for holding television or computer screens and more particularly wherein the screen can be a non-flat screen. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    In recent years the classic cathode ray tube (CRT) computer and television screens have generally been replaced by thin screens based on liquid crystal display (LCD) or light emitting diode (LED) technology. Additionally the standard available screen size has increased. Instead of a maximum size of 32″ or less a person can purchase television screens with a screen size of 40″, 50″ or even 80″-90″. 
         [0004]    The newer screens are much lighter than the older CRT screens and can conveniently be hung from a wall with a mechanism having an arm and a mounting interface at the screen end designed to fit standard screw holes on the back of the screen. 
         [0005]    The Video Electronics Standard Association (VESA) defined a family of standards know as the Flat Display Mounting Interface (FDMI) or VESA Mounting Interface Standard (MIS) defining the mounting interface size and distances between the screw holes on the mounting interface and on the back of the screen as a function of the screen size (diagonal) and weight. 
         [0006]    Recently curved screens (e.g. concave screens) have been introduced and they are gaining popularity since many viewers feel that they provide an enhanced viewing experience. One problem with curved screens is that the screw holes are shifted so standard wall mount interfaces don&#39;t fit. Thus a consumer is limited to using more expensive dedicated mounting interfaces or to add non-standard inserts, spacers or special screws for attaching a standard mounting interface. In many cases non-standard additions can result in an unstable wall mount. Accordingly a solution that fits flat screens and non-flat screens is thus desirable. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    An aspect of an embodiment of the disclosure relates to a system and method for mounting a flat or curved screen to a wall. The mounting is performed using a mounting interface that is attached on one side to the back of the screen and on the other side to the rest of the mounting system. The mounting interface can be a polygonal mounting interface having semi-spherical depressions near the vertices or it may have any other shape with depressions near the edges. Additionally, the interface has multiple elongated beams with matching semi-spherical depressions to be coupled to the mounting interface in a ball and socket manner. The elongated beams can be tilted up and down (out the plane of the mounting interface) and/or moved right or left (in the plane of the interface) while the matching semi-spherical depressions are in contact with each other. During installation the elongated beams are adjusted so that cut out portions on the elongated beams enable the elongated beams to be attached to the back of the screen, for example by inserting a screw through the cut out portion into a screw socket on the back of the screen. Once the elongated beams are adjusted the matching semi-spherical depressions are locked together so that the mounting interface forms a rigid unit with the elongated beams and can be easily attached to the back of the screen. 
         [0008]    In some embodiments of the disclosure, the depressions can be located anywhere on the mounting interface and not specifically near the edges. Optionally, more than one elongated beam can be places within a single depression on the mounting interface. 
         [0009]    Optionally, the matching semi-spherical depressions are locked together using a screw and nut. The nut may be spherical or semi-spherical to fit better into the depressions. In an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure, the semi-spherical depression on the elongated beam is placed inside the semi-spherical depression of the mounting interface. Alternatively, the semi-spherical depression on the elongated beam is placed outside the semi-spherical depression of the mounting interface. Optionally, both of the semi-spherical depressions have a hole for inserting a screw and nut to lock them together and prevent them from moving once they are adjusted as needed. In an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure, the hole on the elongated beam is larger than the hole on the mounting interface or vice versa to enhance the ability to adjust the position of the elongated beam relative to the mounting interface. 
         [0010]    There is thus provided according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure, a wall mounting system for connecting a back of a flat or curved screen to a wall, comprising: 
         [0011]    A mounting interface having semi-spherical depressions; 
         [0012]    Multiple elongated beams having matching semi-spherical depressions for adjustably coupling with the semi-spherical depressions of the mounting interface; wherein the semi-spherical depressions of the elongated beams and the mounting interface have holes for non-movably coupling between them once adjusted; 
         [0013]    Wherein each elongated beam has one or more cut out portions for attaching the elongated beam to the back of the screen; and 
         [0014]    Wherein the mounting interface serves as an interface for holding the screen while it is attached to the wall by the mounting system. 
         [0015]    In an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure, the mounting interface has a polygonal shape. Optionally, the semi spherical depressions of the mounting interface are located near the vertices of the polygonal shape. In an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure, the mounting interface is shaped as a square or rectangular. Optionally, the mounting interface includes a central part and extensions that are detachable from the central part; wherein the semi-spherical depressions are located on the extensions. In an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure, the hole in the semi-spherical depression on the elongated beam is larger or smaller than the hole in the semi spherical depression of the mounting interface to enable positioning the elongated beam to fit a curved screen. Optionally, the semi-spherical depression on the elongated beam is coupled to the semi-spherical depression of the mounting interface using a screw and nut. In an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure, the elongated beam is attached to the screen by inserting a screw through the cut out portion into a screw socket on the back of the screen. Optionally, the mounting interface is attached to the wall with a tilting mechanism to enable the screen to tilt up and down. In an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure, the mounting interface is attached to the wall with multiple stages that are pivotally connected. 
         [0016]    There is further provided according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure, a method of connecting a back of a flat or curved screen to a wall with a mounting system, comprising: 
         [0017]    Providing a mounting interface having semi-spherical depressions; 
         [0018]    Placing multiple elongated beams having matching semi-spherical depressions into the semi-spherical depressions of the mounting interface; 
         [0019]    Adjusting the elongated beam relative to the screen and the mounting interface; 
         [0020]    Coupling between the semi-spherical depressions of the elongated beams and the semi-spherical depressions of the mounting interface by a hole in the semi-spherical depressions of the elongated beams and a hole in the semi-spherical depressions of the mounting interface; 
         [0021]    Attaching between a cut out portion on each of the elongated beams with the back of the screen; and 
         [0022]    Connecting the mounting interface to the wall. 
         [0023]    In an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure, the mounting interface has a polygonal shape. Optionally, the semi spherical depressions of the mounting interface are located near the vertices of the polygonal shape. In an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure, the mounting interface is shaped as a square or rectangular. Optionally, the mounting interface includes a central part and extensions that are detachable from the central part; wherein the semi-spherical depressions are located on the extensions. In an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure, the hole m the semi-spherical depression on the elongated beam is larger or smaller than the hole in the semi spherical depression of the mounting interface to enable positioning the elongated beam to fit a curved screen. Optionally, the semi-spherical depression on the elongated beam is coupled to the semi-spherical depression of the mounting interface using a screw and nut. In an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure, the elongated beam is attached to the screen by inserting a screw through the cut out portion into a screw socket on the back of the screen. Optionally, the mounting interface is attached to the wall with a tilting mechanism to enable the screen to tilt up and down. In an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure, the mounting interface is attached to the wall with multiple stages that are pivotally connected. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0024]    The present disclosure will be understood and better appreciated from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings. Identical structures, elements or parts, which appear in more than one figure, are generally labeled with the same or similar number in all the figures in which they appear. It should be noted that the elements or parts in the figures are not necessarily shown to scale and element or part may be relatively larger or smaller than actually shown. 
           [0025]      FIG. 1A  is a schematic illustration of aback view of a curved screen with a mounting interface, according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure; 
           [0026]      FIG. 1B  is a schematic illustration of a top view of a curved screen with a mounting interface, according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure; 
           [0027]      FIG. 2  is a schematic illustration of an exploded perspective view of a mounting interface and elongated beams for attaching to a curved screen, according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure; 
           [0028]      FIG. 3  is a schematic illustration of a front view of a wall mount system, according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure; 
           [0029]      FIG. 4  is a schematic illustration of a back view of a wall mount system, according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure; 
           [0030]      FIG. 5  is a schematic illustration of an alternative mounting interface, according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure; 
           [0031]    and 
           [0032]      FIG. 6  is a schematic illustration of another alternative mounting interface, according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0033]      FIG. 1A  is a schematic illustration of a back view of a curved screen  100  with a mounting interface  110 , and  FIG. 1B  is a schematic illustration of a top view of a curved screen  100  with a mounting interface  110 , according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. In an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure, mounting interface  110  is shaped as a polygon (e.g. a triangle, a square as in  FIG. 1 , or rectangle, a pentagon, hexagon or other polygon). The mounting interface  110  is provided with semi-spherical depressions  130  near the vertices of the mounting interface  110  (e.g. near the four corners of a rectangular or square mounting interface  110 ). Optionally, an elongated beam  120  is provided for each vertex, wherein the elongated beam  120  has a matching semi-spherical depression  122  for coupling with the mounting interface  110 .  FIG. 2  is a schematic illustration of an exploded perspective view of mounting interface  110  and elongated beams  120  for attaching to a curved screen. 
         [0034]    In some embodiments of the disclosure, the mounting interface  110  can have any shape and the depressions  130  may be positioned anywhere on the surface of the mounting interface  110 . 
         [0035]    In an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure, the semi spherical depressions  122  of the elongated beams  120  are positioned inside the semi spherical depressions  130  of the mounting interface  110  and they are coupled together after adjusting the elongated beams  120  so that cut out portions  140  on the elongated beams  120  match screw sockets  150  on the back of the screen  100  (see  FIG. 1A ). Alternatively, the semi spherical depressions  122  of the elongated beams  120  are positioned outside the semi-spherical depressions  130  of the mounting interface  110 . 
         [0036]    The elongated beams  120  can be rotated right or left in the plane of the mounting interface  110  or up or down relative to mounting interface  110  (e.g. out of the plane of mounting interface  110 ). Then once the elongated beams  120  are positioned to match the screw sockets  150  on the back of the screen  100 , the elongated beams  120  and the mounting interface  110  are locked together, for example using a screw  160  and nut  165  or other locking means (e.g. a dowel pin). Optionally, semi-spherical depression  122  includes an enlarged screw hole  124  (larger than a screw hole  134  of the semi-spherical depressions on the mounting, interface  110 ) to allow the elongated beam  120  to be adjusted freely relative to the mounting interface  110 . Alternatively the screw hole  134  of the semi-spherical depressions  130  on the mounting interface  110  may be larger. In an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure, the nut  165  is also shaped to be semi-spherical or spherical to enhance locking the mounting interface  110  to the elongated beam  120 . In some embodiments of the disclosure, nut  165  may be a standard circular nut or standard hexagonal nut. Optionally, the nut  165  is enclosed in a housing  167  (e.g. a plastic housing) providing it with a spherical shape so that it will fit better into semi-spherical depression  122  and/or semi-spherical depression  130  to prevent movement once the elongated beams  120  are positioned correctly. 
         [0037]    In an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure, the mounting interface  110  with the elongated beams  120  locked to it is attached to the back of screen  100  with locking screws  155 . Optionally, the mounting interface  110  and the elongated beams  120  are made from rigid materials, for example metals such as aluminum or steel. In some embodiments of the disclosure, rigid plastic materials are used depending on the strength of the material and the weight of the screen. In sonic embodiments of the disclosure, the mounting interface  110  with elongated beams  120  can be used also for standard flat screens by adjusting the elongated beams  120  and not only for curved screens (e.g. concave screens). 
         [0038]      FIG. 3  is a schematic illustration of front view of a wall mount system  300 , and  FIG. 4  is a schematic illustration of a back view of a wall mount system  300 , according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. In an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure, wall mount system  300  includes mounting interface  110  with elongated beams  120  for mounting fiat screens or curved screens on the wall. Optionally, wall mount system  300  includes a bracket  330  for attaching wall mount system  300  to the wall. Additionally, wall mount system  300  may include one or more extension arms, for example extension arms  310  and/or  320 . Optionally, extension arm  310  may be attached with a pivot  335  relative to bracket  330  to allow the screen to swivel relative to the wall. In an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure, extension arms  310  and  320  are coupled together with an additional pivot  315  to provide the screen with more degrees of freedom. In some embodiments of the disclosure, wall mount system  300  may only have one extension arm (e.g.  320 ) thus enabling more limited motion. 
         [0039]    In an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure, a tilting mechanism  340  may be coupled to the back of mounting interface  110  to enable the screen to tilt up and down relative to the extension arms ( 310 ,  320 ). Optionally, the tilting mechanism  340  is connected with a pivot  325  to extension arm  320  so that the tilting mechanism  340  can swivel relative to extension arm  320 . 
         [0040]    It should be noted that mounting interface  110  with elongated beams  120  can be attached to other types of wall mount systems, including more stages or less stages, providing tilting, swiveling and/or rotation with more degrees of freedom or less than exemplified by wall mount system  300 . 
         [0041]    In an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure, wall mount system  300  includes a cable guide  350  for gathering and guiding cables that connect between the screen and other devices, for example speakers, electrical outlets, computers, receivers, converters, video/DVD players and other equipment. Optionally, wall mount system  300  may include a shelf (not shown) for placing such equipment near the screen. 
         [0042]      FIG. 5  is a schematic illustration of an alternative mounting interface  510 , according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. Mounting interface  510  is functionally the same as mounting interface  110  except that it is shaped as a rectangle instead of the substantially square shape of mounting interface  110 . 
         [0043]      FIG. 6  is a schematic illustration of another alternative mounting interface  610 , according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. Mounting interface  610  is similar to mounting interface  110  except that it is made up from two or more pieces, for example a central piece  615  and extension pieces  620  that are connected to central piece  615 , for example by screws  625 . Optionally, the semi-spherical depressions  130  (as in mounting interface  110 ) are located on the extension pieces  620 . Alternatively they may be located on the central piece  615 . 
         [0044]    It should be appreciated that the above described methods and apparatus may be varied in many ways, including omitting or adding steps, changing the order of steps and the type of devices used. It should be appreciated that different features may be combined in different ways. In particular, not all the features shown above in a particular embodiment are necessary in every embodiment of the disclosure. Further combinations of the above features are also considered to be within the scope of some embodiments of the disclosure. It will also be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present disclosure is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove.