Patent Document

RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/518,593, which is a National Stage entry of PCT Application No. PCT/US2008/000117, filed Jan. 4, 2008, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/883,656, entitled WALL AVOIDING MOUNT FOR FLAT PANEL ELECTRONIC DISPLAY, filed Jan. 5, 2007, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/957,941, entitled WALL-AVOIDING SELF-BALANCING MOUNT FOR TILT POSITIONING OF AN ELECTRONIC DISPLAY, filed Aug. 24, 2007, all of said applications hereby fully incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to flat panel display devices, and more specifically to mounting devices for flat panel electronic display devices. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     An attribute of modern flat-panel electronic displays that makes them highly desirable to consumers is the aesthetic appeal of a very flat device that has the appearance of a framed photo or painting when hung from a wall. This same attribute is also desirable in that floor and interior space taken up by the display is minimal. 
     With current flat panel display technology, however, best viewing quality is typically achieved when the screen is viewed at as near as possible to a ninety degree angle from the plane of the screen. Liquid crystal displays will often appear perceptibly darker at the more oblique angles. In other cases, particularly with plasma displays, glare from the screen surface may impair viewing. Consequently, it is desirable to have the ability to selectively position the display to enable best viewing quality. 
     Numerous wall mounting devices for flat panel displays have been developed so as to enable tilt and/or swing positioning of the display. Examples of such mounting devices are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,905,101, 7,028,961, and 7,152,836, all of which are owned by the owner of the present invention and are hereby fully incorporated herein by reference. 
     A drawback of these previous mount designs is that the edges of the display may sometimes collide with the wall surface during positioning. These collisions may leave unsightly marks or gouges in the wall surface, or may cause damage to the display itself. Hence, there is still a need for a flat panel display mount that enables selective positioning of the display while alleviating the undesirable effects of wall collisions. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention addresses the need in the industry for an electronic display mount that enables selectively positioning of the electronic display, while alleviating the undesirable effects of wall collisions. Device and methods according to the present invention generally include a support structure operably connected to a display interface structure and a tilt head assembly. The display interface structure is attached to the electronic display. The support structure includes an extendable arm assembly, a pivot column, and a swingstop post. The support structure can be used to rotatably position the electronic device about a substantially vertical axis. The tilt head assembly includes an attachment member, a positionable plate, and guide structures. The tilt head assembly can be used to rotatably position the electronic display about a substantially horizontal axis. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, the extendable arm is selectively positionable to a plurality of positions. The pivot column defines the substantially vertical axis about which the support structure can be rotated. The swingstop post defines a plurality of ranges of rotation of the extendable arm assembly about the substantially vertical axis. Each position of the extendable arm assembly corresponds to a range of rotation. 
     According to another embodiment of the present invention, the first and second guide structures define a path of rotation of the electronic display about the substantially horizontal axis. The electronic display is substantially self-balancing at any point along the path of rotation. 
     According to another embodiment of the present invention, the plate is positionable in a plurality of positions. Each position defines a different location of the substantially horizontal axis. 
     According to another embodiment of the present invention, a system comprises an electronic display device and a support structure operably connected to a display interface structure and a tilt head assembly. The display interface structure is attached to the electronic display. The support structure includes an extendable arm assembly, a pivot column, and a swingstop post and can be used to rotatably position the electronic device about a substantially vertical axis. The tilt head assembly includes an attachment member, a positionable plate, and guide structures. The tilt head assembly can be used to rotatably position the electronic display about a substantially horizontal axis. 
     According to another embodiment of the present invention, a method provides for positioning an electronic display mounted to a substantially vertically oriented surface with a mounting device. The mounting device includes a support structure operably connected to a display interface structure and a tilt head assembly. The method comprises extending the support structure to a first extended position, rotating the electronic display about a substantially vertical axis within a range of rotation defined by the first extended position, positioning the tilt head assembly, and rotating the electronic display about a substantially horizontal axis to a first tilted position. The electronic display is self-balancing in the first tilted position. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The embodiments of the present invention may be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a flat panel electronic display and mount according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a mount according to an embodiment of the invention coupled with a wall assembly and with a flat panel electronic display mounted thereon and shifted away from the wall assembly; 
         FIG. 3  is a rear perspective view of the display and mount of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a rear perspective view of a mount according to an embodiment of the invention coupled with an electronic display; 
         FIG. 5  is another rear perspective view of a mount according to an embodiment of the invention coupled with an electronic display; 
         FIG. 6  is a fragmentary rear perspective view of a portion of the mount of  FIG. 3  depicted without the extendable arm assembly and display for clarity; 
         FIG. 7  is a fragmentary rear perspective view of the display and mount of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 8  is an exploded view of the tilt head and support column assemblies of a mount according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a fragmentary side elevation view of the tilt head portion of a mount according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a fragmentary side elevation view of the tilt head of  FIG. 9  with the pitch member removed for clarity; 
         FIG. 11  is a fragmentary side elevation view of the inner yoke of the tilt head of  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a side elevation view of the mount and display of  FIG. 3 , depicting the tilting motion of the display; 
         FIG. 13  is a rear perspective view of a display coupled with the tilt head and display interface structure portions of a mount according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 14  is a top plan view of a display and mount according to an embodiment of the invention depicting the swing motion of the display in a first position relatively spaced apart from a wall surface; 
         FIG. 15  is a top plan view of a display and mount according to an embodiment of the invention depicting the swing motion of the display in a second position relatively more proximate a wall surface; 
         FIG. 16  is a top perspective view of a lower pivot bushing of a mount according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 17  is a top plan view of the bushing of  FIG. 16 ; 
         FIG. 18  is a side elevation view of the bushing of  FIG. 16 ; 
         FIG. 19  is a top perspective view of an upper pivot bushing of a mount according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 20  is a top plan view of the bushing of  FIG. 19 ; 
         FIG. 21  is a side elevation view of the bushing of  FIG. 19 ; 
         FIG. 22  is a front perspective view of the swing limit cam of a mount according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 23  is a top plan view of the cam of  FIG. 22 ; 
         FIG. 24  is a bottom plan view of the cam of  FIG. 22 ; 
         FIG. 25  is a fragmentary bottom perspective view of a portion of a mount according to an embodiment of the invention, depicting the bottom pivot bushing interfacing with the swing limit cam; 
         FIG. 26  is a fragmentary perspective view of the lift adjuster mechanism of a mount according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 27  is a side elevation view of a mount and display according to an embodiment of the invention with the display in an upright position; 
         FIG. 28  is a side elevation view of the mount and display depicted in  FIG. 4  with the display in a fully tilted position; 
         FIG. 29  is a top plan view of a mount according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 30  is a rear elevation view of a mount according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 31  is a side elevation view of the mount depicted in  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 32  is a fragmentary perspective view of a mount according to an embodiment of the invention, depicted in a tilt position; 
         FIG. 33  is a perspective view of the yoke component of a mount according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 34  is a perspective view of the threaded coupler component of a mount according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 35  is a perspective view of the interface plate component of a mount according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 36  is a perspective view of the outer pitch arm component of a mount according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 37  is a perspective view of the inner pitch arm component of a mount according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 38  is a side elevation view of the outer pitch arm component of a mount according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 39  is a side elevation view of the inner pitch arm component of a mount according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 40  is a fragmentary perspective view of the slide block and guide track of a mount according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 41  is a perspective view of a slide block component of a mount according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 42  is a perspective view of the second mounting plate component of a mount according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 43  is a perspective view of the first mounting plate component of a mount according to an embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIG. 44  is a perspective view of a mount according to an embodiment of the invention with an in-wall mounting interface. 
     
    
    
     While the present invention is amendable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the present invention to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-5 , a wall-avoiding mount is generally depicted with reference numeral  100 . Mount  100  can be used to mount flat panel display  101  to wall  102 . Generally, mount  100  includes support structure  103 , tilt head  104 , and display interface structure  106 . Mount may also include in-wall box  108 . 
     Support structure  103  generally includes extendable arm assembly  110 , support column assembly  112 , and swing limit cam  114 . Extendable arm assembly  110  generally includes wall interface  116  and arms  118 , pivotally coupled together at pivots  120 . Lateral spacers  122  may be provided at pivots  120  to provide lateral spacing between adjacent arms  118  in order to avoid pinch points and shearing action as extendable arm assembly  110  is extended and retracted. As depicted in  FIGS. 14-15 , extendable arm assembly  110  enables display  101  to be selectively positioned at any desired distance outward from wall surface  124 . 
     It will be readily appreciated that extendable arm assembly  110  may include virtually any desired number of arms  118  so as to enable a desired range of movement outward from wall surface  124 . Further, consistent with other aspects of embodiments of the invention disclosed herein, support structure  103  may include or consist of any other structure providing support for tilt head  104 , such as swing arm arrangements or fixed mounting brackets. Moreover, support structure  103  may be attached directly to wall surface  124 , or may be advantageously used with in-wall attachment arrangements such as disclosed for example in the U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/883,652 CENTERING IN-WALL MOUNT filed by the owners of the present invention on Jan. 5, 2007, the complete disclosure of which is hereby fully incorporated herein by reference. 
     Support column assembly  112  generally includes tubular vertical column  126 , upper pivot bushing  128 , lower pivot bushing  130  and lift adjuster assembly  132 . Upper pivot bushing  128 , as depicted in  FIGS. 19-21 , generally includes body portion  134  defining central bore  136 . Tab  138  extends from body portion  134  and defines pivot aperture  140 . Body portion  134  is generally cylindrical with front edge  142  having a smaller radius than rear edge  144 , defining a pair of shoulders  146 ,  148 . 
     Similarly, lower pivot bushing  130 , as depicted in  FIGS. 16-18 , generally includes body portion  150  defining central bore  152 . Tab  154  extends from body portion  150  and defines pivot aperture  156 . Body portion  150  is generally cylindrical with front edge  158  having a smaller radius than rear edge  160 , defining a pair of shoulders  162 ,  164 . 
     Upper and lower pivot bushings  128 ,  130 , are vertically and rotationally slidably disposed on column  126 , with column  126  extending through central bores  136 ,  152 , respectively. Separate arms  118  of extendable arm assembly  110  are pivotally attached to tabs  138 ,  154 , of each of upper and lower pivot bushings  128 ,  130 , with pivots  166  extending into pivot apertures  140 ,  156 . 
     Lift adjuster assembly  132  as depicted in  FIG. 26  generally includes body  168 , attaching fastener  170 , and lift screw  172 . Body  168  is attached proximate upper end  174  of column  126  with attaching fastener  170 . Lift screw  172  is threadedly received in body  168  and includes bearing plate  176  at lower end  178 . Thumb knob  180  may be provided on upper end  182  to enable lift screw  172  to be easily threaded in and out of body  168  with the fingers. 
     In use, bearing plate  176  slidably bears on upper surface  184  of upper pivot bushing  128 , thereby vertically locating upper pivot bushing  128  on column  126 . The relative vertical position of upper pivot bushing  128  is selectively adjustable by threading lift screw  172  in or out of body  168 , thereby lowering or raising upper pivot bushing  128  relative to column  126 . As extendable arm assembly  110  is extended and retracted, upper pivot bushing  128  remains in position while lower pivot bushing  130  slides vertically on column  126 . 
     Swing limit cam  114 , as depicted in  FIGS. 22-25 , generally includes elongate body  186  presenting lower end  188  and upper end  190 . Lower end  188  has width dimension W that is generally wider than width dimension W 1  of upper end  190 . Intermediate portion  192  is tapered, presenting upwardly sloping opposing flanks  194 . Front side  196  is concave, conforming to the radius of front edge  158  of lower pivot bushing  130 . 
     Swing limit cam  114  is affixed to the inner side  198  of tilt head  104  as depicted in  FIG. 13 , with front edge  158  of lower pivot bushing  130  in registry with front side  196  as depicted in  FIG. 25 . Column  126  is positioned along concave front side  196  of swing limit cam  114  and is fixed in rotational and vertical position relative thereto. In use, with display  101  positioned proximate wall surface  124  as depicted in  FIG. 15 , lower pivot bushing  130  is relatively closer to bottom end  200  of column  126 . In this position, shoulders  162 ,  164 , of lower pivot bushing  130  engage sides  202  of lower end  188  of swing limit cam  114 , limiting side-to-side swinging motion of display  101  to a relatively greater degree as depicted in  FIG. 15 , so as to prevent contact of display  101  with wall surface  124 . 
     As extendable arm assembly  110  is extended outward and display  101  is positioned further away from wall surface  124 , lower pivot bushing  130  slides upward on column  126  and upward relative to swing limit cam  114 , which is vertically fixed in position on tilt head  104 . Once lower pivot bushing  130  reaches intermediate portion  192 , the greater distance between each of shoulders  162 ,  164 , and sloping flanks  194  enables a steadily increasing range of side-to-side swinging motion for display  101 . When lower pivot bushing  130  reaches upper end  190  of swing limit cam  114 , a full range of side-to-side swinging motion for display  101  is enabled, as depicted in  FIG. 14 . 
     It will be appreciated that the vertical position of swing limit cam  114  may be adjusted on tilt head  104  to alter the relative distance from wall surface  124  at which lower pivot bushing  130  begins to encounter intermediate portion  192  and upper end  190 . Moreover, it will be appreciated that the geometry of swing limit cam  114  may be altered as desired to produce desired swing limiting characteristics. For example, swing limit cam  114  may be made relatively longer with more gently sloping flanks  194  to enable a more gradual limiting of swing motion relative to distance. In another example, opposing flanks  194  may a provided with differing slopes so as to enable a greater range of swing motion in one direction relative to the opposing direction. 
     Tilt head  104  is generally attached intermediate support structure  103  and display interface structure  106 . In a first example embodiment, tilt head  104  generally includes inner yoke  204 , pitch cams  206 , and pitch member  208 , as depicted in  FIGS. 8-11 . In a second example embodiment, tilt head  104  generally includes body portion  210 , a pair of inner pitch arms  212 , a pair of outer pitch arms  214 , and a display interface assembly  216 , as depicted in  FIGS. 27-32 . 
     Referring to the first example embodiment of tilt head  104  depicted in  FIGS. 8-11 , inner yoke  204  generally includes back plane  218  defining laterally oriented opening  220 , and having parallel projecting flanges  222 ,  224 . Each of flanges  222 ,  224 , define upright guide structure  226 , first oblong aperture  228 , and second oblong aperture  230 , in lateral registry across tilt head  104 . 
     Each pitch cam  206  defines a guide structure  232 , which may be in the form of an elongate slot, and a pair of apertures  234 ,  236 . Pitch cams  206  are secured on the outer surface  238  of each of flanges  222 ,  224 , with aperture  234  in registry with oblong aperture  228  and aperture  236  in registry with oblong aperture  230 . Travelers (not depicted) extend through each of the registered aperture pairs  228 ,  234  and  230 ,  236 . The travelers are slidable in oblong apertures  228 ,  230  such that pitch cams  206  are selectively positionable relative to inner yoke  204  as depicted in  FIG. 10 . 
     Pitch member  208  generally includes back plane  239  having parallel projecting flanges  240 ,  242 . Each of flanges  240 ,  242 , define apertures  244 ,  246 , in lateral registry across tilt head  104 . Inner yoke  204  and pitch cams  206  are disposed between flanges  240 ,  242 , with apertures  244  in registry with guide structures  232 , and apertures  246  in registry with guide structures  226 . Followers  248  extend through apertures  244  and slidably engage in each guide structure  232 , and followers  250  extend through apertures  246  and slidably engage in each guide structure  226 . 
     Display interface structure  106  as depicted in  FIG. 13 , generally includes vertical uprights  252 ,  254 , horizontal braces  256 ,  258 , central reinforcing plate  260 , and gusset plates  262 ,  264 . Vertical uprights  252 ,  254 , are secured to back side  266  of display  101  with fasteners  268 . Horizontal braces  256 ,  258 , are secured to vertical uprights  252 ,  254 , and are coupled with gusset plates  262 ,  264 . Central reinforcing plate  260  extends between and is secured to horizontal braces  256 ,  258 . Pitch member  208  engages and is secured to horizontal braces  256 ,  258 . 
     In use, as depicted in  FIG. 12 , display  101  is tiltable about a generally horizontal tilt axis by grasping the top edge  270  of the display  101  and pulling outward. As display  101  tilts, followers  248  slide in guide structures  232 , and followers  250  slide in guide structures  226  to guide and define the tilting path of travel for display  101 . Notably, as display  101  tilts forward, bottom edge  272  maintains substantially the same distance from wall surface  124 . Hence, even when extendable arm assembly  110  is retracted so that display  101  is positioned immediately proximate wall surface  124 , display  101  will not contact wall surface  124  at any point in the tilting motion. 
     Another desirable feature of tilt head  104  as also depicted in  FIG. 12  is that guide structures  226  and guide structures  232  may be oriented so as to define a path of travel about a tilt axis located generally below and forward of display  101 , such that center of gravity  274  translates along a substantially horizontal axis  198 , and the display  101  is substantially “self-balancing.” That is, display  101  will maintain a desired tilt position without being held by a secondary friction source. 
     It will be appreciated that the position of pitch cams  206  may be adjusted so as to alter the position of the tilt axis for display  101  and also the path along which the center of gravity will translate upon tilting. Further, it will be appreciated that the shape of guide structures  226 ,  232 , may be altered so as to give a desired effect to the tilt motion of display  101 . For example, guide structures  226 ,  232 , may be substantially straight as depicted, or either or both may be curved, angular, or any other desired shape. Guide structures  226 ,  232  themselves, although depicted as slots, may be any other suitable structure capable of guiding a follower, such as channels, grooves, cam surfaces, and the like. 
     Referring to the second example embodiment of tilt head  104  depicted in  FIGS. 27-32 , body portion  210  generally includes yoke portion  276  with a pair of projecting uprights  278 ,  280 . Yoke portion  276  defines central bore  282 , of which a portion proximate bottom end  284  may be threaded to receive threaded coupler  286 . Each of uprights  278 ,  280 , defines guide track  288  facing laterally outward. A slide block  290  is slidably disposed in each guide track  288  as depicted in  FIG. 40 . Slide block  290  defines aperture  292 . Each upright  278 ,  280 , defines aperture  294  therethrough proximate top end  296 . 
     Inner pitch arm  212  is elongate, presents opposing ends  298 ,  300 , and defines apertures  302 ,  304  proximate ends  298 ,  300 , respectively. Inner pitch arm  212  further defines aperture  306  intermediate ends  298 ,  300 . 
     Outer pitch arm  214  is also elongate, presents opposing ends  308 ,  310 , and defines apertures  312 ,  314  proximate ends  308 ,  310 , respectively. Clearance notch  316  is defined in lateral margin  318  proximate aperture  320 . 
     Display interface assembly  216  generally includes interface plate  322 , first mounting plate  324 , and second mounting plate  326 . Interface plate  322  includes display attachment portion  328  and projecting parallel flanges  330 ,  332 . Display attachment portion  328  defines apertures  334  and elongate apertures  336  for attaching first and second mounting plates  324 ,  326  and display  101  with fasteners (not depicted). Each flange  330 ,  332  defines elongate guide slot  338  and pivot apertures  340 . 
     Each inner pitch arm  212  is pivotally coupled to one of uprights  278 ,  280 , with a pivot pin  342  extending through aperture  294 . The other end of each inner pitch arm  212  is coupled with interface plate  322  with pivot  344  slidable in elongate guide slot  338 . Each outer pitch arm  214  is pivotally coupled to slide block  290  with pivot  346  extending through aperture  292 . The other end of each outer pitch arm  214  is pivotally coupled to interface plate  322  with pivot pin  348  extending through apertures  312 ,  314 ,  340 . Notch  316  enables outer pitch arm  214  to clear pivot  344  when mount  100  is positioned in an upright position, as depicted in  FIG. 27 . 
     In use, display  101  may be first disposed in a generally vertical upright position, as depicted in  FIG. 27 . Lower corner  350  is disposed a distance D from upright column  352  of extendable arm assembly  110 , upon which yoke portion  276  is received. Center of gravity C.G. of display  101  is disposed along generally horizontal axis A-A, which is a distance X above bottom end  284  of yoke portion  276 . 
     A user may selectively tilt display  101  forward as depicted in  FIG. 28  by grasping and pulling top edge  270  of display  101 . As the user pulls, each inner pitch arm  212  pivots about pivots  344 ,  346 , and pivot  344  slides in elongate guide slot  338 . Simultaneously, each outer pitch arm  214  pivots about pivots  346 , with each slide block  290  sliding upward in guide tracks  288 . Advantageously, center of gravity C.G. of display  101  translates substantially along axis A-A, which is maintained at distance X above the bottom end  284  of yoke portion  276 , while lower corner  350  remains substantially at the same distance D from upright column  352 . The effect is for display  101  to be essentially self-balancing, able to maintain any desired tilt position between the upright position depicted in  FIG. 27  and the fully tilted position depicted in  FIG. 28  without the addition of significant additional friction between any of the components of mount  100 . Further, the lower corner  350  of display  101  maintains an essentially constant distance from wall assembly  354  as display  101  is tilted, thereby eliminating the problem of display  101  striking wall assembly  354 , even when mount  100  is fully retracted as depicted in  FIG. 44 . 
     In the embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 30-31 , mount  100  additionally includes friction element  356 , which may include a bolt  358  extending through an aperture defined in inner pitch arm  212  and guide slot  360  defined in outer pitch arm  214 . Friction washer  362  abuts outer surface  364  of outer pitch arm  214  and is held in place with nut  366 . Notch  368  is defined in each of parallel flanges  330 ,  332  to clear friction element  356 . 
     In use, friction can be selectively added if needed to maintain a desired tilt position by tightening nut  366 . Conversely, friction can be removed to enable freer positioning of mount  100  by loosening nut  366 . 
     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: 2