Patent Document

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/982,321, filed Oct. 24, 2007, which is incorporated herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The field of the invention is for a mounting system. More specifically, the invention encompasses a device to support a display, such as a whiteboard. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Teaching professionals utilize many different educational tools to illustrate concepts and assist student understanding and development. Instructors have used chalkboards for decades to illustrate visual characteristics to a students to help them visualize and understand information. A chalkboard utilizes a piece of chalk, usually of a lighter color, against a darker color board. The chalk, however, caused dust when used. Chalkboards were also limited in their color range and the visibility of the chalk to a large audience. Whiteboards or dry-erase boards, were subsequently developed to permit an instructor to write on a white colored board with markers of various colors. The marks were then easily removed by wiping them off the surface of the board. The whiteboards are generally easier to use and less messy. The use of whiteboards have proliferated into everyday use in offices, meeting rooms, classrooms, and other environments. 
         [0004]    However, one common problem with conventional whiteboards, is that there are essentially only two types: (1) permanently mounted, and (2) portable. The permanently affixed whiteboard acts as a replacement to the chalkboard, but is limited to only that functionality A portable whiteboard generally has a plurality of feet and a support to hold the board on a wheelable base. Therefore, the whiteboard may be replaced and moved to a new location as needed by the user. The portable whiteboard is generally smaller, and is still cumbersome to set up, remove, and store. Interactive whiteboards are generally even more difficult to transport as they are generally heavier and more delicate because of the additional electronics within the board. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0005]    The mounting system may be used to permanently or removably attach a display, such as an interactive whiteboard, to a support surface, such as a wall or movable mount. The mounting system may be configured to fit over an existing wall feature, such as a chalk board. The mounting system may utilize a top rail which is secured to the support surface. One or more mounting arms are hung from the top rail. These mounting arms may be attached to at least one support rail. Additionally, the support rail may include a cleat to support a display. The mounting system may utilize hook and loop fasteners to secure the display to another support rail, or the mounting arm to the support surface. The mounting arm may additionally include a leveling foot to adjust alignment of the mounting system. 
         [0006]    In an exemplary embodiment, a mounting system to support a display to a support surface, the system comprising: a top rail configured to attach to a support surface; a plurality of mounting arms removably attached to the top rail; and a top support rail removably attached to the plurality of mounting arms and configured to support the display. 
         [0007]    In an exemplary embodiment, further comprising: an attachment portion is attached to each of the plurality of mounting arms to hang each of the plurality of mount arms from the top rail. 
         [0008]    In an exemplary embodiment, wherein the attachment portion is a clip that hangs from a cleat on the top rail. 
         [0009]    In an exemplary embodiment, wherein the plurality of mounting arms include leveling feet which allow to adjustment of the arms relative to the distance between the support surface and the display. 
         [0010]    In an exemplary embodiment, further comprising a finger cleat configured to attach to the support surface and secure the leveling foot in position. 
         [0011]    In an exemplary embodiment, further comprising: a finger cleat configured to attach to the support wall and designed to secure the mounting arm in place. 
         [0012]    In an exemplary embodiment, wherein the plurality of mounting arms are configured to have a contour that fits over an existing wall feature. 
         [0013]    In an exemplary embodiment, wherein the plurality of mounting arms include a plurality of coupling locations for adjustment of the a height of the top support rail. 
         [0014]    In an exemplary embodiment, wherein the top support rail includes a cleat to support the display. 
         [0015]    In an exemplary embodiment, further comprising: a bottom support rail attached to the plurality of mounting arms. 
         [0016]    In an exemplary embodiment, wherein the bottom support rail is removably attached to the display with a hook and loop fastener. 
         [0017]    In an exemplary embodiment, wherein the bottom support rail is removably attached to the display with an adhesive. 
         [0018]    In an exemplary embodiment, wherein the display is an interactive whiteboard. 
         [0019]    In an exemplary embodiment, a mounting system to allow attachment to a support surface, the system comprising: a top rail configured to be coupled to a support surface; at least one mounting arm attached to the top rail; a top support rail removably attached to at least one mounting arm and configured to support a device; and a bottom support rail removably attached to at least one mounting arm and configured to attach to the device. 
         [0020]    In an exemplary embodiment, wherein the top support rail has a cleat thereon to support the device. 
         [0021]    In an exemplary embodiment, wherein the bottom rail attaches to the device through a hook and loop fastener means. 
         [0022]    In an exemplary embodiment wherein the two or more mounting arms include a leveling foot. 
         [0023]    In an exemplary embodiment, wherein the leveling foot is attached to the support surface by a finger cleat. 
         [0024]    In an exemplary embodiment, wherein the device is an interactive whiteboard. 
         [0025]    In an exemplary embodiment, a method of securing a mounting system to a support surface and mounting a display, thereon the method comprising the steps of: securing a top rail a support surface; coupling an upper support rail and lower support rail to at least one mounting arm, wherein the upper support rail includes a cleat facing away from the at least one mounting arms; hanging at least one mounting arm from the top rail; and mounting the display by hanging the display from the cleat on the upper support rail and connecting the display to the lower support rail with a hook and loop fastener means. 
         [0026]    Disclosed is a whiteboard mounting system. The mounting system may include a top rail attached to a support surface, such as a wall or a portable mount. The top rail may support two or more mounting arms, which may removably attach to the top rail. One or more support rails may be attached to the mounting arms and to the whiteboard to secure the whiteboard to the support surface. For example, the whiteboard may hang from a top support rail, and be removably attached to a lower support rail through hook and loop fasteners. In an exemplary embodiment, the mounting arms may also include leveling feet to properly position and support the mounting system against the support surface. These leveling feet may be removably attached to the support surface through hook and loop fasteners or with finger cleats. 
         [0027]    In an exemplary embodiment, the mounting system may permit semi-permanent or permanent attachment to any surface, including a wall or movable frame. In another exemplary embodiment, the mounting system may permit easy removal of a board for relocating to or storing in various locations. The mounting system may additionally be used to easily accommodate and interchange various sizes, shapes, and kinds of boards, depending on the user&#39;s desired requirements. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0028]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary mounting system according to embodiments of the invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 1A  illustrates a cut away portion of the top rail, along with a representative mounting arm, according to embodiments of the invention. 
           [0030]      FIG. 1B  illustrates a cut away portion of the mounting arm attached to a representative support rail, according to embodiments of the invention. 
           [0031]      FIG. 1C  illustrates a cut away portion of the mounting aim including a leveling foot, according to embodiments of the invention. 
           [0032]      FIG. 1D  illustrates an alternate embodiment of the leveling foot, including a finger cleat. 
           [0033]      FIG. 2  illustrates an unassembled view of the mounting system according to embodiments of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0034]    In the following description of preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which it is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention can be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments can be used and structural changes can be made without departing from the scope of the embodiments of this invention. 
         [0035]    Although embodiments of the invention may be described and illustrated herein in terms of whiteboards, and particularly smart boards, it should be understood that embodiments of this invention are not so limited, but are additionally applicable to any support system. For example, features of the present invention may be used with chalk boards or bulletin boards. Furthermore, although embodiments of the invention may be described and illustrated herein in terms of educational tools, including whiteboards, it should be understood that embodiments of the invention are also applicable to other industries, such as electronic controls and displays, including audio/video equipment mounting systems. 
         [0036]      FIG. 1  illustrates a whiteboard mounting system  100  according to an exemplary embodiments of the present invention. In an exemplary embodiment, the mounting system  100  may have a top rail  110  that is attached to a wall or support surface (not shown) for the whiteboard (not shown). It is contemplated that at least one mounting arm  120  is removably attached to the top rail  110 . However, in an exemplary embodiment, a plurality of mounting arms  120  may be removably attached to the top rail  110 . The top rail  110  may include a support protrusion  112  that is configured to mate with an attachment portion  122  of the mounting arm  120 . It is contemplated that at least one, and alternatively, a plurality of support rails  130  may connect to the mounting arms  120  and support the attached whiteboard. In an embodiment, the whiteboard (not shown) may be removably attached directly to the support rail  130  or may utilize a support feature  132  on the support rail  130 . 
         [0037]    The support rails  130  may be positioned along the mounting arms  120  at a plurality of heights to vertically adjust the whiteboard location. Additionally, the board may be supported at a plurality of positions on the support rails  130  which may permit horizontal adjustment of the board relative to the support rails  130 . The mounting arm  120  may have at least a first end  119  and a second end  123 . It is contemplated that the second end  123  of the mounting arm  120 , which is located opposite to the attachment portion  122  and the first end  119  of the mounting arm  120 , may include a leveling foot  124  that may adjust the distance from the wall which may ultimately assist in properly aligning the mounting system  100  relative to the wall. 
         [0038]    In an exemplary embodiment, the mounting arms  120  may be contoured to fit over an existing wall feature. It is contemplated that the mounting arms  120  may have a convex and/or concave portion which may hold the whiteboard away from the supporting surface, such that a user may install the whiteboard over an existing blackboard. Moreover, the mounting arms  120  may be constructed to be longer than the height of the whiteboard, to permit greater placement options for the whiteboard on the mounting arms  120 . Further the extended length of the mounting arms  120  may permit the mounting arms  120  to span and if necessary, exceed the height of the underlying black board (not shown). However, it should be understood that the mounting arms  120  may alternatively be configured to not have any convex or concave portion, and alternatively be flat against the support wall or within the frame of the whiteboard, to provide different aesthetic and special options. 
         [0039]      FIG. 1A  illustrates a close up of the support rail  130  whereby the support rail  130  attaches to the mounting arm  120 . In an exemplary embodiment, the support rail  130  may attach to the mounting arm  120  at a plurality of locations to permit the vertical adjustment of the whiteboard relative to the mounting arm  120 . The support rail  130  may be attached to the mounting arm  120  by any of screws, rivets, pull-pins, friction sliders, and the like. For example, as seen in  FIG. 1B , mounting arm  120  includes a plurality of screw holes  126  to allow for attachment of the support rail  130  to the mounting arm  120  via screws  134 . In an exemplary embodiment, a plurality of holes are provided to permit a user to adjust the height of the whiteboard. 
         [0040]    The support rail  130  may include a support feature  132  that may engage a corresponding feature on the whiteboard. For example, as shown in  FIG. 1A , the support feature  132  is a cleat similar to the support protrusion  112  of the top rail  110 . In an exemplary embodiment, the support feature  132  may be a cleat that resembles an upside down, half U-shaped hook that engages a corresponding feature on the back of the whiteboard (not shown). The whiteboard may include an upper edge including a lip projected outward then downward to create a mating hook for the support feature  132 . In another exemplary embodiment, the support feature  132  of the support rail  130  and the corresponding feature of the whiteboard (not shown are configured to permit the whiteboard to easily slide in a horizontal direction. A stop may be provided along the support rail  130  or the corresponding feature of the whiteboard to prevent the board from sliding out of its rail or overbalancing the mounting system. It should be understood that a cleat is provided to removably attach the board to the support rail, however, a plurality of different attachment means may be utilized to attach same. 
         [0041]    In another alternate embodiment, the mounting system may utilize hook and loop fasteners that may be used in place of the support feature on at least one of the support rails  130 . For example, the mounting system  100  may include two support rails  130   a  and  130   b , as seen in  FIG. 1 . The upper support rail  130   a  may be attached to the whiteboard with a support feature  132 , as described above, while the lower support rail  130   b  may be attached to the whiteboard with a hook and loop fastener. In this case, the surface of the support rail  130   b  may have a hook or loop fastener, while the back of the whiteboard has the corresponding loop or hook fastener. The hook and loop fastener may be attached to the support rail or whiteboard by taping, gluing, adhering, bonding, stapling, or other device. Alternatively, for a more permanent connection, the support rail may be adhered to the whiteboard directly through taping, gluing, adhering, bonding, or other device. 
         [0042]      FIG. 1B  illustrates the lower corner of the mounting system  100  including the mounting arm  120  and leveling foot  124 . In an exemplary embodiment, the mounting arms  120  includes a leveling foot  124  to adjust the angle of the mounting system  100 . The leveling foot  124  may be an adjustable pad  128 . The height of the leveling foot  124  may be adjusted utilizing devices, such as a sliding extension, a screw extension, or the like. The leveling foot  124  may be attached to the mounting arm  120  or another embodiment may be integrally formed with the mounting arm  120 . In an exemplary embodiment, the leveling foot may be a cap portion that may be fit over the end portion  131  of the mounting arm  120 . The adjustable pad  128  may be adjusted to properly align the whiteboard mounting system  100 . 
         [0043]      FIG. 1C  illustrates cut away view of the lower corner of the mounting system  100 , including the leveling foot  124  and finger cleat  140 , according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. In an exemplary embodiment, a finger cleat  140  may be mounted to the support surface (not shown) to additionally secure the leveling foot  124  and potentially add further support to the mounting system  100 . The finger cleat  140  includes an indention  142  to fit around a neck  129  of the leveling foot  124  between the adjustable pad  128  and the mounting arm  120 . The finger cleat  140  may be positioned so that the indention  142  in horizontal, and therefore, locks the mounting system  100  in place once installed. The finger cleat  140  may optionally be installed so the indention  142  faces upwards, and therefore, permits the mounting system  100  to be removed and replaced, repeatedly sliding into the indention from the top side while fitting the mounting system to the top rail. The finger cleat  140  may be secured to the support surface by a screw or nail  144  through hole  146 . Other securing devices may be used, such as taping, anchoring, adhering, gluing, bonding, and the like. 
         [0044]    In an exemplary embodiment, the system may utilize hook and loop fasteners that may be added to the mounting system  100  for additional stability. The adjustable pad  128  located on the leveling foot  124  of the mounting arm  120  may include a hook or loop fastener surface. A corresponding loop or hook fastener may be adhered to the mounting surface for attaching to its corresponding hook and fastener on the mounting arm  120 . The hook and loop fasteners may be adhered, bonded, glued, or otherwise attached to the respective locations. 
         [0045]    It is contemplated that the top rail  110  may be made of any sufficiently strong material to support the whiteboard. In an exemplary embodiment, the top hanging rail  110  may be constructed of aluminum that may be sufficiently rigid to support the attached board, but still light in weight to reduce the additional burden on the wall or supporting surface to which the system is attached. The mounting arms  120  may be constructed of steel to provide adequate support strength for the board. The support rails  130  may also be constructed of aluminum to reduce the weight of the mounting system  100 . Other materials, for each component, may include metals or metal alloys, such as aluminum, aluminum alloy (e.g. 6063-T5), steel (18ga steel). Strong plastics or other materials may alternatively be used. It should be understood that a plurality of different materials may be utilized, and each component of the system  100  may be constructed of the same or different materials. 
         [0046]      FIG. 2  illustrates the mounting system  200  in the unassembled state, according to exemplary embodiments of the invention. In an exemplary embodiment, the mounting system  200  may be provided in a complete kit form which may include an aluminum top rail  210 , two 18ga steel mounting arms  220  with steel hanger clips  226 , leveler inserts  224 , and two aluminum support rails  230 . Additionally, the system  200  may include mounting equipment and instructions for assembling the system  200 . The mounting system  200  may be designed to secure a smart board to a wall over an existing black board or whiteboard. 
         [0047]    To install the top rail  210 , the user would place the top rail above the existing chalk board (not shown), and secure the top rail  210  in the desired location. The top rail  210  may be attached to a wall (not shown) with wall anchors, nails, screws, or other securing devices, depending on the wall characteristics. Then, the support rails  230  may be removably attached to the mounting arms  220 . The mounting arms  220  may include a plurality of holes  226  at set intervals, for example, one inch, to permit incremental adjustment in height. The support rails  230  may be attached to the mounting arms  220  by self-tapping screws. 
         [0048]    Other coupling devices may provide screws, rivets, plugs, and the like. The support rails  230  may be attached with cleat  232  facing outward, away from the wall. Preferably, the first and second support rails  230   a  and  230   b  are utilized and preferably spaced the maximum distance apart to increase stability of the system  200 . Once the mounting system  200  is fully assembled, the board may be hung from cleat  232  of the upper support rail  230   a.    
         [0049]    In an exemplary embodiment, the board may hang from the upper support rail  230   a  by corresponding features included on the top of the whiteboard. The lower support rail  230   b  may be attached to the board with double-faced tape. Once the position of the support rails  230  and mounting arms  220  are in the desired location. Double-faced tape is adhered between the lower support rail  230   b  and the whiteboard. The board is then pressed firmly to the lower support rail  230   b  to properly secure the connection. Alternatively, hook and loop fasteners may be used in place of the adhesive for a secure, but non-permanent coupling. Further, other fastening means may be employed to removably attach the board to the support rails  230   a  and  b.    
         [0050]    In an exemplary embodiment, hook and loop fasteners may be utilized used to increase the connection between the mounting system  200  and the supporting wall. Coin-shaped, hook fasteners may be adhered to the supporting wall or existing blackboard with double-faced tape, while the corresponding loop fastener may be adhered to the leveling foot  224 . The hook and loop fasteners may be adhered by taping, gluing, bonding, or some other device. 
         [0051]    In yet another exemplary embodiment, finger cleats (not shown in  FIG. 2 ) may be utilized to secure the base of the mounting system  200  to the supporting wall. Once the mounting system  200  is hung, assembled, and positioned, the finger cleat may slide around the leveling foot  224  and be secured to the supporting wall. The finger cleat is secured to the wall using the appropriate wall anchor and screw  234 , depending on the support wall characteristics. The finger cleat may also be adhered to the supporting wall, or existing chalkboard, such as by taping, bonding, gluing, and the like. 
         [0052]    Another exemplary embodiment may include a permanently affixed wall mounted rail system  200  for interactive whiteboards. The system  200  is composed of a top hanging rail  230  and two support rails, two mounting arms  220  with leveling feet and mounting clip. The rail system semi-permanently attaches an interactive whiteboard to a wall. The top hanging rail  230  is permanently mounted to a wall with the appropriate fasteners. The mounting arms  220  are hung from the hanging rail  226  on the clip affixed to the top of the mounting arm  220 . The two remaining support rails are attached to the mounting arms  220  with screws. The interactive whiteboard mounts to a cleat on the top support rail. Two hook and loop tabs  224  are attached with double-face tape to the leveling feet at the bottom of the mounting arms  220  and secured to the wall. Two hook and loop tabs  226  are attached to the bottom support rail  210  and secured to the back of the interactive whiteboard. In one embodiment, the mounting arm  220  includes a series of screw holes  234  to allow for height adjustment. 
         [0053]    Although embodiments of this invention have been fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be noted that various changes and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications are to be understood as being included within the scope of embodiments of this invention as defined by the appended claims.

Technology Category: 1