Patent Document

RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/019,104, entitled DISPLAY MOUNT WITH POST-INSTALLATION ADJUSTMENT FEATURES, filed Jan. 4, 2008, and further claims priority to U.S. Design Application No. 29/319,787, entitled TWO-RAIL MOUNT FOR ELECTRONIC DISPLAY, filed Jun. 15, 2008, U.S. Design Application No. 29/319,788, entitled SHELF ATTACHMENT FOR ELECTRONIC DISPLAY MOUNT, filed Jun. 15, 2008, U.S. Design Application No. 29/319,789, entitled WALL INTERFACE FOR DISPLAY MOUNT, filed Jun. 15, 2008, U.S. Design Application No. 29/319,790, entitled TILT ADJUSTABLE DISPLAY INTERFACE BRACKET, filed Jun. 15, 2008, and U.S. Design Application No. 29/319,792, entitled FIXED TWO-RAIL MOUNT FOR ELECTRONIC DISPLAY, filed Jun. 15, 2008, each of said applications hereby fully incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to mounting devices for electronic displays and more particularly, to devices for mounting flat-screen electronic displays and associated peripheral devices to vertical surfaces. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Flat-screen electronic display devices such as LCD and plasma displays are popular among consumers. A highly desirable feature that has, in large part, led to the popularity of these displays is the attractive aesthetic of a thin display device that can be mounted on a wall so as to resemble a framed photograph or painting. 
         [0004]    Accordingly, numerous mounting devices and structures have been developed for mounting flat panel electronic displays to walls and other elements of structures. A typical drawback of these previous mounting devices, however, is that strict attention must be paid during installation of the mounting device to ensure that the display will be mounted in the optimal position on the structure and that the display will be level or aligned with the structure. Even a very small error in positioning of the mounting device during installation can result in a highly noticeable misalignment of the display when mounted, thereby detracting significantly from the aesthetics of the display installation. 
         [0005]    Due to the location of structural elements such as wall framing members, it is often difficult to position a display mount in precisely the position desired on a wall surface. Further, fasteners used to fasten the mounting device to the wall typically lack precision and may shift during the installation process, leading to misalignment of the mounting device. 
         [0006]    What is needed in the industry is a mounting device for electronic display devices that enables precision post-installation adjustment of mount and display device position relative to the structure upon which they are mounted. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    A display mount with post-installation adjustment features according to embodiments of the present disclosure addresses the above-mentioned needs of the industry. The mount may include two or more wall brackets, each having a vertically shiftable carrier assembly. Cross-supports extend between the carrier assemblies and are received in floating connection structures in the carriers. An electronic display display is coupled with the cross-supports. The carrier assembly of each wall bracket is independently vertically shiftable to shift the orientation of the cross-supports, and thereby adjust the vertical position and orientation of the electronic display device coupled with the cross-supports. The electronic display may be coupled to the cross-supports with display interface brackets which are tilt-adjustable to change the tilt position of the display device. 
         [0008]    According to an embodiment, a mount for attaching an electronic display to a fixed structure includes a structure interface portion with a pair of horizontally spaced apart wall brackets and a pair of elongate cross supports. Each wall bracket includes a carrier portion, the cross supports vertically spaced apart and extending between the carrier portions of the wall brackets. The carrier portion of each wall bracket is separately vertically positionable to alter the orientation of the cross supports relative to the fixed structure. The mount further includes at least one display interface bracket received on the cross supports. Each carrier portion may include a pair of floating connection structures, each floating connection structure receiving a separate one of the cross supports. The floating connection structures may be spherical bearings. 
         [0009]    In embodiments of the invention, the cross supports are separately horizontally shiftable relative to the wall brackets. The at least one display interface bracket may include a tilt mechanism, the tilt mechanism enabling an electronic display device attached to the at least one display interface bracket to be selectively tilted about a generally horizontal tilt axis. The tilt axis may be positioned forward of a display receiving surface of the bracket such that the tilt axis extends through the electronic display device. The structure interface portion may include one or more frame members coupling the wall brackets. 
         [0010]    In other embodiments, an electronic display system includes an electronic display device and a mount for attaching the electronic display device to a fixed structure. The mount includes a structure interface assembly and a display interface assembly, the structure interface assembly including a plurality of wall brackets and a plurality of cross supports. The wall brackets are horizontally spaced apart with each of the wall brackets including a guide structure and a carrier. The carrier is selectively vertically shiftable relative to the guide structure with a height adjustment control. The cross supports are vertically spaced apart and extend between the wall brackets. The cross supports are received in the carriers of the wall brackets such that the cross supports are vertically shiftable with the carriers. The display interface assembly includes a pair of display interface brackets spaced apart on the cross supports and the electronic display device received on the display interface brackets. 
         [0011]    In embodiments of the invention, each carrier may include a plurality of floating connection structures, each floating connection structure receiving a separate one of the cross supports. These floating connection structures may be spherical bearings. The cross supports may be separately horizontally shiftable relative to the wall brackets. 
         [0012]    In embodiments of the invention, each display interface bracket may include a tilt mechanism, the tilt mechanism enabling the electronic display device to be selectively tilted about a generally horizontal tilt axis. Each display interface bracket may present a display receiving surface and the tilt axis may be positioned forward of the display receiving surface such that the tilt axis extends through the electronic display device. The tilt axis can be positioned proximate a bottom edge of the electronic display device. 
         [0013]    In other embodiments of the invention, a display system may include a plurality of electronic display devices and a plurality of mounts, each electronic display device mounted on a separate one of the mounts. 
         [0014]    In further embodiments, a mount for attaching an electronic display to a fixed structure includes a structure interface with a pair of horizontally spaced apart wall brackets and a pair of elongate cross supports. Each wall bracket includes a carrier slidably shiftable in a guide structure, the carrier including a pair of floating connection structures. The cross supports are vertically spaced apart and extend between the carriers of the wall brackets, each cross support received in a separate one of the floating connection structures of each carrier. The mount further includes at least one display interface bracket received on the cross supports. 
         [0015]    In other embodiments, a mount according to the invention may include a shelf assembly operably coupled with one or more of the cross supports, or a speaker attachment operably coupled with one or more of the cross supports. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES  
         [0016]    The invention may be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments of the invention in connection with the following drawings, in which: 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of an electronic display and peripheral device mounted on a wall with a mount according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 1   a  is a front perspective view of a mount according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of a wall interface of the mount depicted in  FIG. 1   a;    
           [0020]      FIG. 2   a  is a front perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a wall interface of the mount depicted in  FIG. 1   a;    
           [0021]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a first guide member of the wall interface of  FIG. 1   a;    
           [0022]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of another guide member of the wall interface of  FIG. 1   a;    
           [0023]      FIG. 5  is partial cutaway view of the wall interface of  FIG. 1   a;    
           [0024]      FIG. 6  is fragmentary cross-sectional view taken at section  6 - 6  of  FIG. 1   a;    
           [0025]      FIG. 7  is perspective view of an end cap portion of the wall interface of  FIG. 1   a;    
           [0026]      FIG. 8  is a front elevation view of the end cap of  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a coupling member of the wall interface of  FIG. 1   a    
           [0028]      FIG. 10  is an exploded view of a spherical bearing assembly of the wall interface of  FIG. 1   a;    
           [0029]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a body plate of the wall interface of  FIG. 1   a;    
           [0030]      FIG. 12  is a side elevation view of the body plate of  FIG. 11 ; 
           [0031]      FIG. 13  is a front elevation view of the body plate of  FIG. 11 ; 
           [0032]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a tilt bracket assembly of the mount of  FIG. 1   a;    
           [0033]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of a display interface member of the tilt bracket assembly of  FIG. 14 ; 
           [0034]      FIG. 16  is a perspective view of a hook plate of the tilt bracket assembly of  FIG. 14 ; 
           [0035]      FIG. 17  is an elevation view of a latch plate of the tilt bracket assembly of  FIG. 14 ; 
           [0036]      FIG. 18  is a fragmentary perspective view of an upper latch assembly of the tilt bracket assembly of  FIG. 14 ; 
           [0037]      FIG. 19  is an exploded view of the upper latch assembly of  FIG. 18 ; 
           [0038]      FIG. 20  is a fragmentary rear elevation view of a portion of the tilt bracket assembly of  FIG. 14 ; 
           [0039]      FIG. 21  is a side elevation view of the tilt bracket assembly of  FIG. 14 ; 
           [0040]      FIG. 22  is a fragmentary perspective view of a lower latch assembly of an alternative embodiment of the tilt bracket assembly of  FIG. 14 ; 
           [0041]      FIG. 23  is a cut-away view of the lower latch assembly of  FIG. 22 ; 
           [0042]      FIG. 24  is a perspective view of the hook plate of the embodiment of  FIG. 22 ; 
           [0043]      FIG. 25  is a perspective view of the latch plate of the lower latch assembly of  FIG. 22 ; 
           [0044]      FIG. 26  is a perspective view of the spring slide of the lower latch assembly of  FIG. 22 ; 
           [0045]      FIG. 27  is a side elevation view of a mount and display according to an embodiment of the present invention depicting the tilt motion of the mount; 
           [0046]      FIG. 28  is a front elevation view of a mount according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0047]      FIG. 29  is a perspective view of a shelf attachment for the mount of  FIG. 1   a;    
           [0048]      FIG. 30  is a fragmentary perspective view of the hook assemblies of the shelf attachment of  FIG. 29 ; 
           [0049]      FIG. 31  is a bottom perspective view of the shelf assembly of  FIG. 29  without the shelf; 
           [0050]      FIG. 32  is a front perspective view of a mount and accessory attachment according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0051]      FIG. 33  is a fragmentary view of a portion of the mount of  FIG. 32 ; 
           [0052]      FIG. 34  is a rear perspective view of the accessory attachment depicted in  FIG. 32 ; 
           [0053]      FIG. 35  is a front perspective view of the accessory attachment depicted in  FIG. 32 ; 
           [0054]      FIG. 36  is an end view of the extrusion portion of the accessory attachment of  FIG. 35 ; 
           [0055]      FIG. 37  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a shelf attachment; 
           [0056]      FIG. 38  is a rear perspective view of the shelf attachment of  FIG. 37 ; 
           [0057]      FIG. 39  is a front perspective view of side speaker attachments with a mount according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0058]      FIG. 40  is a fragmentary perspective view of a side speaker attachment; 
           [0059]      FIG. 41  is a perspective view of an insert portion of the side speaker attachment of  FIG. 40 ; 
           [0060]      FIG. 42  is an elevation view of a pair of mounts according to embodiments of the invention mounted on a wall, the cross-supports of each mount being shifted to a side of the mount; 
           [0061]      FIG. 43   a  is an elevation view of a mount according to an embodiment of the invention mounted on the wall of a room wherein the ceiling is not parallel with the floor and the cross supports of the mount have been adjusted to parallel the ceiling; 
           [0062]      FIG. 43   b  is an elevation view of a mount according to an embodiment of the invention mounted on the wall of a room wherein the mount is slightly skewed and the cross supports of the mount have been adjusted to parallel the ceiling and floor of the room; 
           [0063]      FIG. 44  is a front perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a mounting system according to the invention; and 
           [0064]      FIG. 45  is a front elevation view of a non-height adjustable embodiment of a mount according to the invention. 
       
    
    
       [0065]    While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been depicted by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the invention to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0066]    Mounting system  100  for mounting a flat panel electronic display  102 , and optionally a peripheral device such as a DVD player  104 , on a wall  106  is depicted generally in  FIGS. 1 and 1A . Mounting system  100  generally includes wall brackets  108 ,  110 , cross-supports  112 , display interface brackets  114 ,  116 , and shelf assembly  118 . 
         [0067]    As depicted generally in  FIGS. 2-13 , wall brackets  108 ,  110 , are substantially identical and each generally includes mirror image guide members  120 ,  122 , carrier assembly  124 , and end caps  126 ,  128 . Each guide member  120 ,  122 , includes wall interface flange  130  with guide flange  132  projecting perpendicularly therefrom. Each wall interface flange  130  has an upper  134  and a lower  136  end portion, each defining an elongate rounded notch  138 . When inwardly extending portions  140 ,  142 , of guide member  120  are registered and mated with inwardly extending portions  140 ,  142 , of guide member  122 , the guide flanges  132  of guide members  120 ,  122 , are spaced apart, and the rounded notches  138  of end portions  134 ,  136 , define an elongate aperture in each. Each guide flange  132  defines a pair of elongate slots  144 ,  146 . 
         [0068]    Carrier assembly  124  generally includes mirror image body plates  148 ,  150 , a pair of floating connection structures in the form of spherical bearing assemblies  152 , and coupling members  154 ,  156 . Each body plate  148 ,  150 , defines a pair of cross-support apertures  158 ,  160 , surrounded by fastener holes  162 ,  164 . Spherical bearing assembly  152  generally includes mirror image housing halves  166 ,  168 , and bearing  170 . Each housing half  166 ,  168 , defines aperture  172  having an inwardly oriented spherical inner surface  174  conforming to outer surface  176  of bearing  170 . Housing halves  166 ,  168 , are mated, with inner surface  178  of housing half  166  confronting inner surface  180  of housing half  168  and apertures  172  registered to define housing  182 . Bearing  170  is captured in apertures  172  with outer surface  176  confronting inner surfaces  174 . Coupling members  154 ,  156 , each generally include end flange  184  defining threaded aperture  186 , and projecting legs  188 ,  190 . End caps  126 ,  128 , each define a horizontally oriented elongate aperture  192  and a vertically oriented aperture  194 . 
         [0069]    Coupling members  154 ,  156 , are received between ends  196 ,  198 , respectively of body plates  148 ,  150 . Spherical bearing assemblies  152  are also received between body plates  148 ,  150 , the bearing  170  of each registered with one of cross-support apertures  158 ,  160 . Fasteners  200  extend through fastener holes  162 ,  164 ,  202 ,  204 , and corresponding fastener holes  206  in housing halves  166 ,  168 , and fastener holes  208  in coupling members  154 ,  156 , from each side of carrier assembly  124  to secure the assembly together. 
         [0070]    Carrier assembly  124  is received between guide flanges  132  of guide members  120 ,  122 , as depicted in  FIG. 2 . Guide pins  210 ,  212 , respectively extend through elongate slots  144 ,  146 , and apertures  214  in end caps  126 ,  128 . Carrier assembly  124  is thus vertically slidable between guide members  120 ,  122 , guided by guide pins  210 ,  212 , in slots  144 ,  146 . 
         [0071]    End caps  126 ,  128 , are received on upper and lower end portions  134 ,  136 , of guide members  120 ,  122 , and are secured in place with fasteners (not depicted) extending through apertures  216 . A height adjustment control in the form of vertical position adjustment screw  218  extends through vertically oriented aperture  194  in end cap  126  and threads into threaded aperture  186 . As vertical position adjustment screw  218  is rotated, carrier assembly  124  slides between guide members  120 ,  122 . In an alternative embodiment depicted in  FIG. 2   a,  guide members  120 ,  122 , have end flanges  120   a,    120   b,    122   a,    122   b,  respectively, and are connected with end connectors  126   a,    128   a,  respectively. Cosmetic caps (not depicted) may be fitted over end connectors  126   a,    128   b,  for aesthetic purposes if desired. In another alternative embodiment depicted in  FIG. 44 , wall brackets  108 ,  110 , are coupled in a single unit with upper and lower frame members  600 ,  602 , respectively. 
         [0072]    Mirror image display interface brackets  114 ,  116 , are generally depicted in  FIGS. 14-26 , each generally including display interface member  220 , hook plates  222 , and optionally one or both of upper latch assembly  224 , and lower latch assembly  226 . Display interface member  220  generally includes display interface channel portion  228  with guide flange portion  230  extending perpendicularly thereto. Display interface channel portion defines a plurality of apertures, some of which may be rounded  232 , and some of which may be elongate  234 , for receiving fasteners to attach flat panel electronic display  102  on display receiving surface  236 . Guide flange portion  230  defines guide structures  237  in the form of slots  238 ,  240 . Although depicted as slots, it will be appreciated that guide structures  237  may also be configured as other structures fulfilling the same purpose, such as for example, channels, grooves, recesses, ridges, cam surfaces, or the like. Further, it will be appreciated that guide structures  237  may be arcuate, angular, or straight in shape. Guide flange portion  230  further defines friction slot  242 . 
         [0073]    Each hook plate  222  defines guide structures  244 , configured as slots  246 ,  248 . Upper end  250  defines upper hook  252 , while lower end  254  defines lower hook  256 . Again, although depicted as slots, it will be appreciated that guide structures  244  may also be configured as other structures fulfilling the same purpose, such as for example, channels, grooves, recesses, ridges, cam surfaces, or the like. Further, it will be appreciated that guide structures  244  may be arcuate, angular, or straight in shape. As depicted in  FIGS. 14 ,  16 , and  21 , upper end  250  may farther define latch guide slot  258  and latch adjustment aperture  260 . As depicted in  FIGS. 22-26 , lower end  254  may further define latch guides  262 ,  264 , and spring pin guide  266 . Friction screw aperture  268  extends through hook plate  222  intermediate slots  246 ,  248 . 
         [0074]    As depicted in  FIGS. 18 and 19 , upper latch assembly  224  generally includes latch plate  270 , guide  272 , guide retainer  274 , and fastener  276 . Latch plate  270  defines geared aperture  278  and guide slot  280 . Shank portion  282  of guide  272  extends through latch guide slots  258  of both hook plates  222  and guide slot  280  of latch plate  270 . Guide  272  is retained with guide retainer  274  and fastener  276 . Geared aperture  278  is registered with latch adjustment aperture  260  of each hook plate  222 . Teeth  282  in geared aperture  278  may be configured to mesh with the tip of a standard Phillips screwdriver. 
         [0075]    Lower latch assembly  226  as depicted in  FIGS. 22-26  generally includes latch plate  284 , spring  286 , and spring slide  288 . Latch plate  284  defines spring aperture  290  and guide pin apertures  292 . Spring slide  288  is received in spring aperture  290  with notches  294  engaged with opposite sides. One end of spring  286  is received over tab  296  with the opposite end bearing on spring slide  288 . Guide pins  298  are received in each of apertures  292  and are retained in position with retainers  300 . Latch plate  284  is received between lower ends  254  of hook plates  222 , with lateral ends  302  of spring slide  288  projecting through spring pin guides  266 , and the outer ends of guide pins  298  received in latch guides  262 ,  264 . 
         [0076]    Guide pin  304  extends through slot  238  and the guide slots  246  of both hook plates  222 , while guide pin  306  extends through slot  240  and guide slots  248  of both hook plates  222 . Each guide pin  304 ,  306 , is retained on each side with a retainer  308 . Friction screw  310  extends through friction slot  242  and friction screw aperture  268  in each of hook plates  222  and is secured with knob  312 . Friction washers  314  are positioned on each side between guide flange portion  230  and hook plate  222 . 
         [0077]    During installation, wall brackets  108 ,  110 , are mounted at a desired position on wall  106  with fasteners  316  through elongate apertures  192  in end caps  126 ,  128 , as depicted in  FIG. 28 , preferably into a load bearing member of wall  106  such as a stud. Wall brackets  108 ,  110 , are preferably mounted at substantially the same height H from floor  318  so as to minimize the amount of adjustment needed. It will be appreciated that elongate apertures  192  enable the top and bottom of each of wall brackets  108 ,  110 , to be shifted laterally before fasteners  316  are tightened in order to ensure proper vertical alignment. 
         [0078]    Once fasteners  316  are tightened, cross-supports  112  may be inserted through the horizontally registered spherical bearings of the wall brackets  108 ,  110 . Cross-supports  112  are freely slidable through bearings  170 . If not initially registered, horizontally corresponding bearings  170  of wall brackets  108 ,  110 , can be brought into registry by operating vertical position adjustment screws  218  on one or both of wall brackets  108 ,  110 , thereby causing carrier assemblies  124  to move vertically. With cross-supports  112  in place, vertical position adjustment screws  218  can also be operated so as to raise or lower the height of cross-supports  112  above floor  318 , to level cross-supports  112 , or to otherwise adjust the orientation of cross-supports  112  relative to other structures in the room such as comers or furniture. In embodiments of the invention, the carrier assembly  124  of each wall bracket  108 ,  110 , is independently capable of between ½ to 2 inches of vertical travel. Spherical bearing assemblies  152  enable cross-supports  112  to be oriented out of perpendicular with the carrier assemblies  124 , thereby enabling independent shifting of carrier assemblies  124  without binding. 
         [0079]    For example, as depicted in  FIG. 43   a,  cross-supports  112  may be adjusted to parallel a ceiling  320  that is not parallel with floor  318 . As depicted, the ends of upper cross-support  112  are both the same distance H 1  below ceiling  320 , while the ends of lower cross-support  112 , which is parallel with the upper cross-support, are at differing distances H 3 , H 4 , above floor  318 . When an electronic display  102  is coupled with cross supports  112 , the top and bottom edges of the electronic display  102  will be parallel with ceiling  320 . In another example depicted in  FIG. 43   b,  mount  100  may be installed such that wall brackets  108 ,  110 , are skewed or at differing distances H 5 , H 6 , above floor  318 . Carrier assembly  124  of each wall bracket  108 ,  110 , can be independently adjusted so that the ends of cross supports  112  are located a uniform distance from ceiling  320  or floor  318 . When an electronic display  102  is coupled with cross-supports  112 , the top and bottom edges of the electronic display  102  will be parallel with ceiling  320  and floor  318 . 
         [0080]    With cross-supports  112  inserted through bearings  170  of wall brackets  108 ,  110 , end caps  320  may be inserted in each end of cross-supports  112  to prevent cross-supports  112  from being withdrawn. In embodiments of the invention, cross-supports  112  are laterally slidable within bearings  170  even with end caps  320  in place so as to enable a wider range of lateral positioning relative to wall brackets  108 ,  110 . For example, as depicted in  FIG. 42 , cross-supports  112  may be shifted to one side or the other, such that mount  100  can be located wherever necessary on wall  106  to ensure fastening to studs or other support structure within wall  106 . As also depicted in  FIG. 42 , the ability to laterally shift cross-supports  112  may also facilitate the assemblage of multi display arrays of electronic display devices  102 . Displays  102  can be positioned relative to each other without the necessity of ensuring uniform lateral spacing of mounts  100 . 
         [0081]    Display interface brackets  114 ,  116 , may be then attached to the back of display  102  with fasteners through apertures  232 ,  234 . The plurality of round apertures  232  and the elongate apertures  234  enable brackets  114 ,  116 , to be attached at a variety of vertical positions on the back of display  102 . 
         [0082]    Display  102  with display interface brackets  114 ,  116 , attached may then be coupled with cross-supports  112  by hooking upper hook  252  of each bracket  114 ,  116 , over the top cross-support  112  and lower hook  256  of each bracket  114 ,  116  over the bottom cross-support  112 . If brackets  114 ,  116 , are equipped with upper latch assembly  224 , the latch assembly  224  may be engaged by inserting a Phillips screwdriver through aperture  260 , engaging the tip of the screwdriver with teeth  282 , and rotating the screwdriver. As the screwdriver rotates, guide  272  slides in guide slots  258  and tip  324  of latch plate  270  is urged around cross-support  112  to close the latch. Disengagement is the reverse of engagement 
         [0083]    If brackets  114 ,  116 , are equipped with lower latch assembly  226 , tip  326  of latch plate  284  encounters bottom cross-support  112  as lower hook  256  is engaged. Latch plate  284  rotates against the bias provided by spring  286  with pins  298  sliding in guides  262 ,  264 , and spring slide  288  sliding in guides  266 . Once sufficient clearance exists between tip  326  and upper edge  328  of lower hook  256  to enable passage of cross-support  112 , the bias of spring  286  urges latch plate  284  to snap back into position with lower hook  256  engaged around cross-support  112 . Disengagement is accomplished by pulling outward on the bottom of display  102  with sufficient force to overcome the bias of spring  286 , thereby causing latch plate  284  to rotate in the opposite direction. 
         [0084]    With display  102  coupled to cross-supports  112 , the tilt position of the display may then be adjusted as depicted in  FIG. 27 . With knob  312  loosened so as to reduce friction, display  102  may be tilted to a desired position by pulling the top of the display away, or pushing the top of the display toward, wall  106 . Guide pin  304  slides or rolls in slot  238  and the guide slots  246  of both hook plates  222 , while guide pin  306  slides or rolls in slot  240  and guide slots  248  of both hook plates  222  to enable tilting. Because of the orientation of slots  238 ,  240 , and guide slots  246 ,  248 , display  102  pivots about a horizontal pivot axis X-X extending through the display  102  forward a distance Y of the display receiving surface  236  and down a distance Z from a horizontal midline B-B of the display  102 . With this configuration, display  102  is tiltable in either direction with a minimum of effort and tends to remain in position even with knob  312  loose. Once a desired tilt position is reached, however, knobs  312  may be tightened to apply frictional resistance to hold display  102  in the tilt position. Further teachings relating to the optimal orientation of guide slots  238 ,  240 , may be found in PCT Application No. PCT/US2008/000117, hereby fully incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0085]    Shelf assembly  118  is depicted in  FIGS. 29-31  and generally includes hook assemblies  322 , slide  324 , shelf support  326  and shelf  328 . Hook assembly  322  generally includes uprights  330 , hook portion  332  and cross-member  334 . Slide  324  generally includes channels  336  and cross-member  338 . Each of channels  336  defines a plurality of elongate apertures  340 . Shelf support  326  generally includes lateral members  342  and back plane  344 . 
         [0086]    As depicted in  FIG. 1   a,  hook portion  332  hooks over cross-support  112  to suspend shelf assembly  118  from the mount. Uprights  330  are coupled to slide  324  with fasteners extending through elongate apertures  340 . With these fasteners loosened, uprights  330  are slidable relative to slide  324  to adjust height H 1  of cross-member  112  above shelf  328 . Shelf  328  may be made from transparent material such as glass, or from opaque materials, depending on the aesthetic effects desired. 
         [0087]    An alternative embodiment of a shelf assembly  346  is depicted in  FIGS. 37-38 . Shelf assembly  346  generally includes extrusion  348 , shelf support  350  and hook assembly  352 . Extrusion  348  may be, for example, an aluminum extrusion having a cross-section as depicted in  FIG. 36 . Shelf support  350  generally includes a pair of channels  354  connected with a back plane coupler  356 . Shelf support  350  is attached to extrusion  348  with fastener  358 . Hook assembly  352  generally includes coupler  360  and hooks  362 . Hooks  362  may be equipped with a latch assembly similar to previously described upper latch assembly  224 . Hook assembly  352  is attached to extrusion  348  with fasteners  364 . It will be appreciated that hook assembly  352  may be attached at any desired location along extrusion  348  in order to adjust the position of a shelf resting on shelf support  350  relative to cross-supports  112 . In use, hooks  362  are engaged over cross-support  112  in a similar fashion as for the hooks of shelf assembly  118  as previously described. 
         [0088]    Accessory attachment  366  as depicted in  FIGS. 32-36  may be used to attach various accessories and peripheral devices, such as speaker  368  to mounting system  100 . Accessory attachment  366  generally includes extrusion  370 , hook assembly  372  and device interface  374 . Extrusion  370  may be, for example, an aluminum extrusion having a cross-section as depicted in  FIG. 36 . Hook assembly  372  is attached to extrusion  370  with fasteners  376 . It will be appreciated that hook assembly  372  may be attached at any desired location along extrusion  370  in order to adjust the position of device interface  374  and an attached device relative to cross-supports  112 . Device interface  374  generally includes channel  378  and couplers  380 . Couplers  380  are attached to channel  378  with fasteners  382  extending through slot  384  such that couplers  380  are selectively slidable along channel  378 . Each coupler  380  defines an aperture  386  for receiving a fastener (not depicted) to attach a desired device such as speaker  368 . In use, hook assembly  372  is engaged over cross-support  112  as depicted in  FIG. 32  to suspend the accessory attachment  366  from mounting system  100 . 
         [0089]    In  FIG. 45  there is depicted a non-height adjustable version of a mount  604 . Mount  604  generally includes frame  606  having a pair of forwardly projecting flanges  608 ,  610 . Cross-supports  112  are received through apertures in each of flanges  608 ,  610 , with bearing halves  612  on each side of the flange. Cross-supports  112  are laterally slidable as in the vertically adjustable version depicted in  FIG. 42 , thereby enabling a greater range of positioning for mount  604  on wall  106 . It will be appreciated that mount  604  can be used alone in applications where height adjustability is not needed. It will also be appreciated that mount  604  can be used with one or more of mounts  100  to form multi-element arrays where some of the display elements are to be fixed in position and other elements of the array are to be tiltable or height adjustable. 
         [0090]    In a further embodiment of the invention, speakers may be laterally attached so as to project on each side of the electronic display using speaker attachments  388  as depicted in  FIGS. 39-41 . Each speaker attachment  388  generally includes interface channel  390 , rods  392  and coupler  394 . Small end  396  of coupler  394  is received in the end of cross-support  112 . Coupler  394  defines central bore  398  which slidably receives rod  392 . Each rod  392  is coupled to channel  388 . Channel  388  defines slot  400  for receiving fasteners (not depicted) to attach a speaker to the channel. 
         [0091]    It will be appreciated that mount  100  and components thereof can be effectively distributed by packaging one or more of the described mount components in kit form along with user instructions  500  for assembling and attaching mount  100  to a wall  106 , coupling display  102  to mount  100  and adjusting the position of cross-supports  112  and the tilt position of display interface brackets  114 ,  116 , in order to position display  102  as desired. User instructions  500  may be provided in printed form as depicted in  FIG. 1   a,  or in other formats such as video, CD or DVD. 
         [0092]    The embodiments above are intended to be illustrative and not limiting. Additional embodiments are encompassed within the scope of the claims. Although the present invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For purposes of interpreting the claims for the present invention, it is expressly intended that the provisions of Section 112, sixth paragraph of 35 U.S.C. are not to be invoked unless the specific terms “means for” or “step for” are recited in a claim.

Technology Category: 4