Various embodiments of the present invention relate to mounting systems and, more particularly, mounting systems for releasably securing display panels to preexisting surfaces.
Non-electronic whiteboards are becoming objects of the past. Currently, many organizations are replacing non-electronic whiteboards with electronic whiteboards or other electronic display systems. Installation of electronic display systems is only moderately difficult in new constructions. In contrast, installing electronic display systems in already existing facilities proves difficult and expensive, as such installation often requires uninstalling a non-electronic whiteboard before installing an electronic display system. Typically, a whiteboard is firmly secured to a wall with brackets or other hardware, and it may be difficult or inconvenient to remove that hardware. Further, removal of the whiteboard can damage the underlying wall. After the whiteboard is removed, a display for an electronic display system must then be installed to the wall with additional hardware. In short, replacing a non-electronic whiteboard with an electronic display system can be a long, strenuous, and inconvenient task.
Briefly described, various embodiments of the present invention are mounting systems and display devices incorporating mounting systems. According to some embodiments, the mounting system can be used to install a new display device over a preexisting surface, such as a conventional whiteboard or other old display board. The mounting system can position and releasably secure the new display device on top of the preexisting surface without damaging the preexisting surface. Thus, the mounting system can enable convenient installation and removal of the new display device with little or no use of external tools. In an exemplary embodiment, the mounting system can comprise one or more lower magnetic assemblies, one or more upper magnetic assemblies, and one or more mounting sheets, all of which can be connected to or integrated with a display device to be installed over a preexisting surface.
The display device can be part of, or useable with, an electronic whiteboard system or other electronic display system. For example and not limitation, the display device can be a specialized whiteboard, with which a user can interact to drive an electronic display system. The mounting assembly can be connected the display device for releasably securing the display device to a preexisting surface, such as a conventional whiteboard. Thus, the display device can be installed over a conventional whiteboard to enable use of the electronic display system, in place of the conventional whiteboard.
The lower magnetic assemblies of the mounting system can be connected to a bottom portion of a rear surface of the display device. The lower magnetic assemblies can be used to connect the bottom portion of the display device to a preexisting surface, such as a conventional whiteboard surface.
One or more mounting sheets can be provided along a top portion of the rear surface of the display device. The mounting sheets can be composed of a flexible material, such as a polymer. A bottom portion of each mounting sheet can be attached to the rear surface of the display, while a top portion of the mounting sheet can remain substantially loose from the rear surface. One or more upper magnetic assemblies can be provided along the top portion of the mounting sheet. Attached to the loose top portion of the mounting sheet, the upper magnetic assemblies can be moveable with respect to the display device.
When the bottom of the display device is slightly displaced from the preexisting surface, the upper magnetic assemblies can remain attached to the preexisting surface as the mounting sheet flexes. In an exemplary embodiment, a lower portion of the display device can be displaced from the preexisting surface by approximately 30-45 degrees before the display is disconnected from the preexisting surface. Accordingly, the mounting system provides convenient installation and reduces accidental removal of the display from the preexisting surface.
These and other objects, features, and advantages of the mounting system will become more apparent upon reading the following specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures.
To facilitate an understanding of the principles and features of the invention, various illustrative embodiments are explained below. In particular, embodiments of the invention are described in the context of being a mounting system for a display device of an electronic whiteboard system. Embodiments of the invention, however, are not limited to electronic whiteboard systems. Rather, embodiments of the invention can comprise mounting systems for display devices of various electronic display systems and other objects.
The materials and components described hereinafter as making up various elements of the invention are intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Many suitable materials and components that would perform the same or similar functions as the materials and components described herein are intended to be embraced within the scope of the invention. Other materials and components that are embraced but not described herein include, but are not limited to, for example, similar or analogous components developed after development of the invention.
Various embodiments of the present invention are mounting systems and display devices incorporating mounting systems. According to some embodiments of the present invention, a mounting system is a connective backer, such as a magnetic backer configured to adapt an object to hang on a conductive surface. A display device, according to some embodiments of the present invention, can be a displayable object having a connective backer, such as a magnetic backer for mounting the display device to a conductive surface.
Referring now to the figures, in which like reference numerals represent like parts throughout the views, the mounting system will be described in detail.
The mounting system 100 is configured to conveniently mount the display device 200 over a preexisting surface 500 (see
The display device 200 can be one of various types of display devices useable for various purposes. For example, the display device 200 can be a non-electronic whiteboard, artwork, or various other objects that can benefit from being mounted. In an exemplary embodiment, the display device 200 is part of an electronic display system 300, such as the electronic display system 300 illustrated in
As illustrated in
The display device 200 can comprise a display surface 215, on which physical markings and physical representations of digital markings can be viewable. As a component of the electronic display system 300, the display surface 215 can receive and display various objects, including physical markings and images projected onto the display surface 215. The display device 200 need not comprise internal electronics and can be a passive component. For example and not limitation, the display device 200 can be a non-electronic surface, such as a standard or specialized whiteboard. The display surface 215 can receive physical markings or touches from a user, and can present images that are projected onto the display surface 215. In some other embodiments, however, the display device 200 can be an electronic display device comprising various internal electronics components enabling the display device 200 to independently display digital markings or images on the display surface 215.
In an exemplary embodiment, a position-coding pattern 400 (see
The input device 340 can comprise a sensing device 345, such as a camera or other image-capture device. With the sensing device 345, the input device 340 can detect an indication of its position based on the pattern 400 of the display surface 215. The input device 340 can be in communication with the processing device 320. For example, a wired or wireless connection can exist between the input device 340 and the processing device 320. The input device 340 can transmit data relating to its position to the processing device 320. Movement of the input device 340 can be interpreted by the processing device 320 as performance of one or more operations on the display surface 215.
The processing device 320 can be configured to receive position data relating to a position of the input device 340, and to map the position data to one or more operations and target coordinates on the display surface 215. The processing device 320 can determine how to update an old image displayed on the display surface 215. The processing device 320 can render a new display image based on the old image, the target coordinates, and the current operating mode. The processing device 320 can then transmit the new image to the projector 330 for display on the display surface 215.
The projector 330 can project one or more images onto the display surface 215 based on instructions from the processing device 320.
As briefly mentioned above, a position-coding pattern 400 can be provided on the display surface 215 of the mountable display device 200. The pattern 400 can enable the input device 340 to sense an indication of its position on the display surface 215 by viewing, or otherwise sensing, a local portion of the pattern 400. Various images can be used for the pattern 400. The implemented pattern 400 can indicate the position of the input device 340 relative to a previous position, or can indicate an absolute position of the input device 340 in the coordinate system of the display surface 215. For example, the display surface 215 can comprise a known image, which can include alphanumeric characters, a coding pattern, or many other discernable patterns or image data capable of indicating relative or absolute position on the display surface 215.
In an exemplary embodiment of the display surface 215, the position-coding pattern 400 can be a dot matrix position-coding pattern, or dot pattern, such as that illustrated in
The pattern 400 can, but need not, be detectable by the human eye. Preferably, the pattern 400 is not so noticeable as to distract a viewer of the display surface 215 from markings or images displayed on the display surface 215. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, the display surface 215 can appear to have a uniform, light grey color.
Referring back to
The various layers 210, 220, and 230 can comprise many materials. A material for the front layer 210 can be selected to be slightly flexible, such that the display device 200 flexes slightly when a user contacts it. For example and not limitation, the front layer 210 can be an enameled steel or ceramic-steel panel, which can comprise a ceramic sub-layer and a steel sub-layer. In an exemplary embodiment, the ceramic sub-layer can face the display surface 215. The core 220 can also be various materials. In an exemplary embodiment, the core 220 can comprise cardboard, corrugated paper, particle board, honeycomb paper, aluminum, or many other lightweight materials. Selecting a sufficiently lightweight material for the core 220 can cause the entire display device 200 to be light enough to be supported by the mounting system 100. The backer 230 can be comprised of a material capable of supporting the structure of the display device 200. Additionally, the backer 230 can protect other layers 210 and 220 of the display device 200 from moisture, which could potentially damage the display device 200. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, the backer 230 can comprise galvanized steel or another solid, sturdy material.
Materials of the various layers 210, 220, and 230 can reduce, or prevent, warping of the display device 200. A material of the backer 230 can be selected to provide a balanced construction to minimize warping. Further, the front layer 210 and the backer 230 can be composed of materials that expand and contract to similar degrees as a result of temperature changes, as is the case with a ceramic-steel front layer 210 and a galvanized steel backer 230. The front layer 210 and the backer 230 can further reduce warping by sufficiently securing the core 220 to reduce undesirable movement of the core 220.
In an exemplary embodiment, the mounting sheets 140 can comprise a flexible material, such as a polymer. The mounting sheets 140 can be connected to, and carried by, the rear surface 235 of the display device 200, and the attachment assemblies 110 can be connected to, and carried by, the mounting sheets 140. More specifically, the lower attachment assemblies 120 can be carried by the lower mounting sheets 150, and the upper attachment assemblies 130 can be carried by the upper mounting sheets 160. When the display device 200 is installed over a preexisting surface, however, the mounting assembly, including the mounting sheets 140 and attachment assemblies 110, can carry the display device 200 on the preexisting surface.
A lower mounting sheet 150 can be substantially secured to the rear surface 235 of the display device 200. For example, as shown in
Securement of the lower mounting sheet 150 to the rear surface 235 of the display device 200 can be effected by various means. For example, at least one attachment member 190 can be provided to attach the lower mounting sheet 150 to the rear surface 235 at each of various points. The attachment members 190 can comprise rivets, screws, nails, bolts, adhesives, or the like.
One or more lower attachment assemblies 120 can be secured to each lower mounting sheet 150. Each lower attachment assembly 120 can be attached to the lower mounting sheet 150 by an attachment member 190. Although a single lower attachment assembly 120 is provided per lower mounting sheet 150 in the mounting system 100 of
As described in detail below, the upper mounting sheets 160 can extend between the upper attachment assemblies 130 and the display device 105, when the lower attachment assemblies 120 are pulled away from the preexisting surface 500, so as to allow the upper attachment assemblies 130 to remain secured to the preexisting surface until a threshold condition is met. In contrast, the lower mounting sheets 150 need not enable the lower attachment assemblies 120 to remain secured to the preexisting surface 500 when the display device is displaced from the preexisting surface 500. The lower mounting sheets 150 can be provided to position the lower attachment assemblies 120 such that the outermost portions of the lower attachment assemblies 120 are approximately the same distance from the display device 105 as are the outermost portions of the upper attachment assemblies 130. Various other implementations can be provided to achieve this effect, however, and no lower mounting sheets 150 need be provided. For example and not limitation, a spacer or spacing member can be positioned between the lower attachment assemblies 120 and the display device, or the lower attachment assemblies 120 can be thicker components than the upper attachment assemblies and can be secured directly to the display device 105.
As shown in
Each upper mounting sheet 160 can be secured to the rear surface 235 of the display device 200 proximate a bottom edge 162 or other lower portion of the upper mounting sheet 160. Securement can be provided by one or more attachment members 190, which can comprise rivets, screws, bolts, nails, adhesives, or various other means of attachment.
An upper mounting sheet 160 can be a connective member between the display device and all or a subset of the upper attachment assemblies 130. One or more upper attachment assemblies 130 can be provided along a top edge 166 of the upper mounting sheet 160. The upper attachment assemblies 130 can be secured to the upper mounting sheet 160 proximate the top edge 166 or upper portion of the upper mounting sheet 160. Securement of the upper attachment assemblies 130 to the upper mounting sheet 160 can be provided by one or more attachment members 190. Because the upper portion of the upper mounting sheet 160 can be loose and moveable with respect to the display device 200, the upper attachment assemblies 130 can also be moveable with respect to the display device 200, although remaining connected to the display device 200 by the lower portion of the upper mounting sheet 160.
A horizontal joint 164 can be provided in the upper mounting sheet 160 below the positions of the upper attachment assemblies 130. The upper mounting sheet 160 can be capable of bending abruptly along the horizontal joint 164. The horizontal joint 164 can be provided through many means. For example, the upper mounting sheet 160 can be perforated along a desired position of the horizontal joint 164. Alternatively, a groove can be cut in the upper mounting sheet 160 along a desired position of the horizontal joint 164.
As illustrated in
While the display device 200 remains mounted and secured to the preexisting surface, a lower portion of the display device 200 can be displaced from the preexisting surface 500 within a predetermined displacement range. The displacement range defines a threshold condition, such that the display device 200 can remain secured to the preexisting surface 500 by the mounting system 100, so long as the display device 200 remains within the displacement range. When the displacement of the display device 200 from the preexisting surface 500 exceeds the displacement range, the threshold condition is met, and thus, the upper mounting assemblies 130 automatically and mechanically detach from the preexisting surface 500.
The displacement range can include predetermined combinations of angles and distances by which the display device 200 can be displaced from the preexisting surface 500, before the upper attachment assemblies 130 detach from the preexisting surface, thereby disconnecting the display device 200 from the preexisting surface 500. The displacement range between the display device 200 and a preexisting surface 500 can depend on, and be defined by, one or more characteristics of the upper mounting sheet 160, the display device 200, and the preexisting surface 500. For example, the displacement range can depend on, a combination of the following: a length of the upper mounting sheet 160 between its attachment to the display device 200 and the positions of the upper attachment assemblies 130, a degree of flexibility of the upper mounting sheet 160, a curvature of the preexisting surface 500, a curvature of the display device 200, and a degree of flexibility of the display device 200.
For example, in some exemplary embodiments, the display device 200 can be pulled away from the preexisting surface 500 by no more than a threshold distance, which can be at least partially defined by the length of the upper mounting sheet 160 between its attachment to the display device 200 and the positions of the upper attachment assemblies 130. Because this length of the upper mounting sheet 160 can extend between the upper attachment assemblies 130 and the display device when the display device 200 is displaced, the upper attachment assemblies 130 can automatically detach from the preexisting surface 500 before the distance between the display device 200 and the preexisting surface exceeds this length. Additionally, in some embodiments, the display device 200 can be pulled away from the preexisting surface 500 by no more than a threshold angle a, which can be approximately 30-45 degrees.
As illustrated in
In an exemplary embodiment, the fixed upper attachment assemblies 135 can be grouped together without intervening unfixed assemblies 130, so that the group of fixed upper attachment assemblies 135 can be substantially immoveable with respect to the display device 200, while the remaining upper attachment assemblies 130 can be moveable with respect to the display device 200.
As also illustrated in
The vertical joint 168 and the fixed attachment assemblies 135 can enable the display device 200 to be easily removed from the preexisting surface 500 when desired. When a user attempts to remove the display device 200 from the preexisting surface 500 by pulling at a portion of the display device 200 proximate the fixed attachment assemblies 135, the display device 200 can be removable from the preexisting surface 500 without the display device 200 needing to be displaced from the preexisting surface 500 by angle a. Additionally, the fixed upper attachment assemblies 135 can provide stability to the display device 200 when the display device 200 is secured to the preexisting surface 500. Because of the potential mobility of the other, unfixed upper attachment assemblies 130 with respect to the display device 200, there can be a tendency for the display device 200 to shake or drift away from the preexisting surface 500. The fixed upper attachment assemblies 135 can reduce or eliminate this tendency by being substantially immoveable with respect to the display device 200 when secured to the preexisting surface 500.
As shown in
A depth of the attachment assembly 110, from the top of the cover 113 to the bottom of the base 111, can be such that the rear surface 235 of the display device 200 is slightly separated from the preexisting surface 500. In an exemplary embodiment, the separation can be no narrower than an average-sized person's finger-tip. Thus, the separation can reduce the possibility of a person's hands, fingers, or other extremities being pinched between the display device 200 and the preexisting surface 500. Further, the attachment assemblies 110 can be positioned away from the edges of the display device 200, such that the display is separated from the preexisting surface 500 around the entire perimeter of the display. Accordingly, a person's extremities are unlikely to be pinched between an attachment assembly 110 and the preexisting surface 500.
It is not uncommon for magnets to slide down a surface to which they are attached when sufficient downward force is exerted on such magnets. Accordingly, while various types of magnets 118 can be provided in the attachment assembly 110, an exemplary embodiment of the attachment assembly 110 can utilize strong magnets, such as neodymium magnets. Additionally, the cover 113 can be or comprise a friction element 115, which can be a material capable of increasing friction between the attachment assembly 110 and the preexisting surface 500 upon which the display device 200 is mounted. For example and not limitation, the cover 113 can be composed of rubber, a nitrile pad, or many other friction-providing materials.
While, as described above, the attachment assemblies 110 can be secured to mounting sheet 140 by attachment members 190, this need not be the case, and other securement mechanisms may also be used instead of or along with attachment members 190. For example,
Before being formed about an attachment assembly 110, a mounting sheet 140 can be flat or substantially flat. To enable forming, the attachment assembly 110 can be placed on a stand, and the mounting sheet 140 can be placed over the attachment assembly 110 and then vacuumed. During the vacuum forming process, the mounting sheet 140 can be molded about the attachment assembly 110. As shown, when formed, the mounting sheet 140 can cover a side or portion of the attachment assembly 110 that secures to the preexisting surface 500 for mounting the display device 200. The mounting sheet 140 can also wrap around to the opposite side of the attachment assembly 110, so as to secure the attachment assembly 110 in the mounting sheet 140 and reduce dislodgment of the attachment assembly 110 from the formed mounting sheet 140.
To reduce slippage between the display device 200 and the preexisting surface 500, a friction element 145 can be positioned between the attachment assembly 110 and the preexisting surface 500 when the attachment assembly 110 is secured to the preexisting surface 500. This friction element 145 can be the mounting sheet 140 itself or a material positioned on, or covering, a portion of the mounting sheet 140 where the mounting sheet 140 covers the attachment assembly 110. In some embodiments, the friction element 145 can be a rubber or nitrile pad adhered to the mounting sheet 140 over the attachment assembly 110, or the mounting sheet 140 can provide enough friction between the attachment assembly 110 and the preexisting surface that the mounting sheet 140 itself acts as the friction element 145. The attachment assembly 110 can be configured to be releasably securable to the preexisting surface 500 even through the mounting sheet 140 and the friction element 145. For example, as discussed above, the attachment assembly 110 can comprise a magnet, which can be strong enough to attract the preexisting surface 500 through these other components.
Vacuum forming one or more mounting sheets 140 around attachment assemblies 110 can provide benefits over using attachment members 190, such as screws and the like, for securement. For example, instead of using rivets, washers, and adhesives to support securement, the mounting sheet 140 itself can be the only necessary component for maintaining securement between the attachment assembly 140 and the mounting sheet 140. Further, when the mounting sheet 140 acts as the friction element 145, yet another component (e.g., a nitrile pad or a friction-providing cover 113) can be left out of the mounting system 100. Reduced components can result in reduced costs of goods and can also facilitate easier and less costly assembly. Thus, vacuum forming can reduce overall production costs of the mounting system 100.
Accordingly, as discussed in detail above, the mounting system 100 can releasably secure the display device 200 to the preexisting surface 500, while reducing slippage or accidental removal of the display device 200 from the preexisting surface 500.
While the invention has been disclosed in exemplary forms, many modifications, additions, and deletions can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and its equivalents, as set forth in the following claims.
This application claims a benefit, under 35 U.S.C. §119(e), of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/178,788, filed 15 May 2009, the entire contents and substance of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
---|---|---|---|---|
PCT/US2010/034734 | 5/13/2010 | WO | 00 | 11/15/2011 |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
61178788 | May 2009 | US |