TECHNICAL FIELD
Generally, the present invention relates to devices for mounting electronic displays, such as computer monitors and televisions, to cabinets, ceilings, walls, and other devices and surfaces, to cabinets including such mounting devices, and to methods of mounting electronic displays to cabinets, ceilings, walls, and other devices and surfaces.
BACKGROUND
It is often necessary or desirable to mount an electronic display to a surface, such as a surface of a wall. Mounting devices, which are often referred to as mounting brackets, have been developed that can be attached to an electronic display and bolted or screwed to a surface to which it is desired to mount the electronic display. Such mounting devices are often designed to enable a person to tilt or rotate the electronic display attached thereto. There is a continuing need in the art, however, for mounting devices for electronic displays that have a simple construction and design, but that provide for a wide range of movement within three-dimensional space.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In some embodiments, the present invention includes mounting devices for mounting an electronic display device to a surface. The mounting devices can include an elongated track or rail, a guide member, and a bracket member. The guide member is coupled to the elongated track or rail, and can be slid along a length of the elongated track or rail. The bracket member is attached to the guide member on a side thereof opposite the elongated track or rail and includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion of the bracket member extends laterally from the guide member between a first end and a second end. The first end of the first portion of the bracket member is coupled to the guide member and can be rotated relative to the guide member. The second portion of the bracket member is configured for attachment to an electronic display device, and may be pivotably coupled to the second end of the first portion of the bracket member.
In additional embodiments, the present invention includes cabinets that include a front surface, at least one side surface, and a bottom surface. The cabinets further include a mounting device attached to the bottom surface thereof that includes an elongated track or rail, a guide member, and a bracket member. The guide member is coupled to the elongated track or rail, and can be slid along a length of the elongated track or rail. The bracket member is attached to the guide member on a side thereof opposite the elongated track or rail and includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion of the bracket member extends laterally from the guide member between a first end and a second end. The first end of the first portion of the bracket member is coupled to the guide member and can be rotated relative to the guide member. The second portion of the bracket member is configured for attachment to an electronic display device, and may be pivotably coupled to the second end of the first portion of the bracket member.
In yet further embodiments, the present invention includes methods of mounting an electronic display device to a cabinet. An elongated track or rail is attached to a bottom surface of at least a portion of a cabinet having a front surface and at least one lateral side surface. A guide member is coupled to the elongated track or rail, and the elongated track or rail and the guide member are configured to enable the guide member to slide along the elongated track or rail. A first portion of a bracket member is coupled to the guide member on a side thereof opposite the elongated track or rail, and the guide member and the first portion of the bracket member are configured to enable the first portion of the bracket member to rotate relative to the guide member. An electronic display device is attached to a second portion of the bracket member.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming that which is regarded as the present invention, the advantages of this invention may be more readily ascertained from the description of the invention when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an example embodiment of a mounting device of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is another enlarged, partial isometric view of the mounting device shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is another enlarged, partial isometric view of the mounting device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;
FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of a portion of the mounting device shown in FIGS. 1 through 3;
FIGS. 5A and 5B are front and top views, respectively, illustrating the mounting device shown in FIGS. 1 through 4 in a first configuration;
FIGS. 6A and 6B are simplified front and top views, respectively, illustrating the mounting device shown in FIGS. 1 through 4 in a second configuration;
FIGS. 7A and 7B are simplified front and top views, respectively, illustrating the mounting device shown in FIGS. 1 through 4 in a third configuration;
FIGS. 8A and 8B are simplified front and top views, respectively, illustrating the mounting device shown in FIGS. 1 through 4 in a fourth configuration;
FIG. 9 is a partial isometric view of an example embodiment of a cabinet of the present invention that includes an electronic display device mounted thereto using a mounting device as shown in FIGS. 1 through 4;
FIG. 10 is a partial isometric view of the cabinet shown in FIG. 9 illustrating the electronic display device and the mounting device in another position on the cabinet; and
FIG. 11 is a partial isometric view of the cabinet shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrating the electronic display device and the mounting device in yet another position on the cabinet.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The illustrations presented herein are not meant to be actual views of any particular material, apparatus, system, or method, but are merely idealized representations which are employed to describe the present invention. Additionally, elements common between figures may retain the same numerical designation.
An example embodiment of a mounting device 10 of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 1 through 4. The mounting device 10 may be used to mount an electronic display device, such as a flat-panel television or computer monitor, to a surface. For example, the mounting device 10 may be used to mount an electronic display device to a surface of a wall, ceiling, cabinet, table, or any other piece of furniture having at least one planar and rigid surface. Referring to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the mounting device 10 includes an elongated rail or track 12, a guide member 14 coupled to the track 12 and configured to slide along the length thereof, and a bracket member 16 attached to the guide member 14 on a side thereof opposite the track 12. The bracket member 16 is configured to rotate or pivot relative to the guide member 14. Each of these components of the mounting device 10 is described in further detail below.
The track 12 is an elongated member having one or more features that cooperate with the guide member to retain the guide member 14 thereon as the guide member 14 is slid back and forth along the length of the track 12 between a first longitudinal end 18A and a second longitudinal end 18B of the track 12. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 through 4, the track 12 includes a central base portion 20 (FIG. 4) having a mounting surface 21 that may be abutted against a surface to which the track 12 is to be attached (e.g., a surface of a ceiling or cabinet). Two lateral rails 22 are provided on each of two opposite lateral sides of the central base portion 20. In some embodiments, the rails 22 may have a generally circular cross-sectional shape. The two lateral rails 22 may be integrally formed with the central base portion 20, and a relatively thin bridge or rib member 24 (FIG. 4) extending between the central base portion 20 and each of the respective rails 22 to support the same. A plurality of screw or bolt holes 26 (FIGS. 1 and 3) may be provided through the central base portion 20 of the track 12 to enable the track to be screwed to or bolted on a surface to which the mounting device 10 is to be attached. As described in further detail below, the track 12 may be generally disposed in a plane that is parallel to a surface to which the mounting device 10 is to be attached.
The guide member 14 is operably coupled to the track 12 and is configured to cooperate with and slide longitudinally along the track 12. In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 through 4, the guide member 14 is generally disposed on a side of the track 12 opposite the mounting surface 21 of the central base portion 20 of the track 12, as shown in FIG. 4. The guide member 14 includes two grip members 28, each of which is configured to receive one of the two lateral rails 22 of the track 12. In other words, the grip members 28 may comprise a recess, or may be shaped to define a groove, for receiving one of the two lateral rails 22 of the track 12. The grip members 28 may be secured to a plate member 29. In some embodiments, the grip members 28 and the plate member 29 may be secured together using bolts (not shown). In other embodiments, the grip members 28 and the plate member 29 may be secured together by welding or using an adhesive. As shown in FIGS. 2 through 4, the guide member 14 also may comprise a pin member 30, which may be used to couple the bracket member 16 to the guide member 14. The pin member 30 may extend from the plate member 29 in a direction opposite the track 12. In some embodiments, the pin member 30 may be integrally formed with the plate member 29.
The track 12 and guide member 14 may comprise, for example, a commercially available linear guide system such as, for example, the 2DA Dual Shaft RoundRail Linear Guide System sold by Danaher Motion, of Washington, D.C.
With continued reference to FIGS. 1 through 4, the bracket member 16 may be attached to the guide member 14 on a side thereof opposite the track 12. The bracket member 16 may comprise a first portion 32 and a second portion 34.
The first portion 32 of the bracket member 16 may have a first end 33A thereof and a second, opposite end 33B, and may extend from the guide member 14 in a lateral direction relative to a plane in which the track 12 is disposed that is oriented parallel to the mounting surface 21 of the track 12. The first end 33A of the first portion 32 of the bracket member 16 may be rotatably coupled to the guide member 14. By way of example and not limitation, the first end 33A of the first portion 32 of the bracket member 16 may be coupled to the pin member 30 and configured to rotate about the pin member 30. In this configuration, the first portion 32 of the bracket member 16 may be rotated relative to the guide member 14.
The second portion 34 of the bracket member 16 is configured for attachment to an electronic display device. By way of example and not limitation, the second portion 34 may comprise a plurality of screw or bolt holes 38 (FIGS. 1 and 2). An electronic display device may be abutted against the second portion 34 of the bracket member 16, and screws or bolts may be inserted through the second portion 34 of the bracket member 16 and fastened to the electronic display device to secure the electronic display device to the second portion 34 of the bracket member 16.
Referring briefly to FIG. 6A, the second portion 34 of the bracket member 16 may extend from the first portion 32 of the bracket member 16 at an angle Φ that is less than one hundred and eighty degrees (180°). In some embodiments, the second portion 34 of the bracket member 16 may extend from the first portion 32 of the bracket member 16 at an angle Φ that is between about sixty degrees (60°) and about one hundred and twenty degrees (120°). By way of example and not limitation, the second portion 34 of the bracket member 16 may extend from the first portion 32 of the bracket member 16 at an angle Φ that is about ninety degrees (90°).
In some embodiments, the second portion 34 of the bracket member 16 may be pivotably coupled to the second end 33B of the first portion 32 of the bracket member 16 by, for example, a conventional hinge joint. In this configuration, a tilt angle of an electronic display device attached to the second portion 34 of the bracket member 16 may be adjusted by a user after attaching the mounting device 10 to a surface and securing the electronic display device to the bracket member 16. By way of example and not limitation, the second portion 34 of the bracket member 16 may extend from the first portion 32 of the bracket member 16 at an angle Φ that is adjustable between about sixty degrees (60°) and about one hundred and twenty degrees (120°).
In this configuration, an electronic display device attached to the second portion 34 of the bracket member 16 may be provided in a number of positions within three-dimensional space, as will be apparent from the description below.
As shown in FIG. 1, in some embodiments, the mounting device 10 also may comprise a bracket 42 for supporting a keyboard (e.g., a keyboard for inputting data into a computer device) or other device thereon. The bracket 42 may comprise a wire or rod that has been bent and formed so as to form a support structure for supporting a keyboard therein, as shown in FIG. 1.
The mounting device 10 is shown in a first configuration in FIGS. 5A and 5B, in which the guide member 16 is positioned at the first longitudinal end 18A of the track 12. The first portion 32 and the second portion 34 of the bracket member 16 may be generally disposed within a plane P16. As shown in FIG. 5A, the plane P16 in which the first portion 32 and the second portion 34 of the bracket member 16 are disposed may be oriented generally perpendicular to a plane P12 in which the track 12 is disposed, the plane P12 being oriented parallel to the mounting surface 21 of the track 12. In other words, the track 12 is oriented perpendicular to the plane P16.
In some embodiments of the present invention, the first portion 32 of the bracket member 16 may be rotatable through at least ninety degrees (90°) relative to the track 12. In additional embodiments, the first portion 32 of the bracket member 16 may be rotatable through at least one-hundred and eighty degrees (180°) relative to the track 12. In yet further embodiments, the first portion 32 of the bracket member 16 may be rotatable through three-hundred and sixty degrees (360°) relative to the track 12.
The mounting device 10 is shown in a second configuration in FIGS. 6A and 6B, in which the guide member 16 is also positioned at the first longitudinal end 18A of the track 12. In the configuration shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the first portion 32 of the bracket member 16 has been rotated ninety degrees from the position shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B. As shown in FIG. 6B, in this configuration, the track 12 is also disposed generally within the plane P16 in which the first portion 32 and the second portion 34 of the bracket member 16 are disposed. In other words, the track 12 extends parallel to the plane P16 and is disposed within the plane P16. In this position, the first portion 32 of the bracket member 16 may extend from the guide member 14 in a direction at least substantially parallel to the track 12.
The mounting device 10 is shown in a third configuration in FIGS. 7A and 7B, in which the guide member 16 is positioned at the second longitudinal end 18B of the track 12. In this configuration, the first portion 32 of the bracket member 16 in oriented in the same direction relative to the track 12 as that of the first configuration shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B. As shown in FIG. 7A, the plane P16 in which the first portion 32 and the second portion 34 of the bracket member 16 are disposed may be oriented generally perpendicular to a plane P12 in which the track 12 is disposed, the plane P12 being oriented parallel to the mounting surface 21 of the track 12. In other words, the track 12 is oriented perpendicular to the plane P16.
The mounting device 10 is shown in a fourth configuration in FIGS. 8A and 8B, in which the guide member 16 is also positioned at the second longitudinal end 18B of the track 12. In the configuration shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the first portion 32 of the bracket member 16 has been rotated ninety degrees from the position shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B. As shown in FIG. 8B, in this fourth configuration, the track 12 is also disposed generally within the plane P16 in which the first portion 32 and the second portion 34 of the bracket member 16 are disposed. In other words, the track 12 extends parallel to the plane P16 and is disposed within the plane P16. In this position, the first portion 32 of the bracket member 16 may extend from the guide member 14 in a direction at least substantially parallel to the track 12, but opposite the direction shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B.
In some embodiments, the bracket member 16 may be rotatable from any one of the positions shown in FIGS. 5A-5B, 6A-6B, 7A-7B, and 8A-8B to any of the other positions shown in FIGS. 5A-5B, 6A-6B, 7A-7B, and 8A-8B, and may be rotatable in either the clockwise or counter-clockwise direction.
Optionally, the mounting device 10 may comprise means for securing or biasing the bracket member 16 in one or more positions relative to the guide member 14. By way of example and not limitation, the mounting device 10 may comprise means for securing or biasing the bracket member 16 in one or more of the positions shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, 6A and 6B, 7A and 7B, and 8A-8B. As a non-limiting example, one or more protrusions (not shown) may be formed on a surface of the first portion 32 of the bracket member 16, and one or more recesses (not shown) having a size and shape complementary to those of the protrusions may be formed on a surface of the pin member 30 of the guide member 14. In this configuration, the complementary protrusions and recesses may provide a detent mechanism for retaining the bracket member 16 in one or more rotational positions relative to the guide member 14 after the bracket member 16 has been rotated to those rotational positions by a user.
In the configuration of the mounting device 10 disclosed above, an electronic display device attached to the second portion 34 of the bracket member 16 may be moved to any longitudinal position relative to the track 12, rotated to any desired rotational angle relative to the guide member 14 and the track 12, and may be tilted to a desired tilt angle relative to the guide member 14 and the track 12.
Embodiments of mounting devices of the present invention, such as the mounting device 10 previously described herein with reference to FIGS. 1 through 4, 5A-5B, 6A-6B, 7A-7B, and 8A-8B, may be used to mount an electronic display device to a bottom surface of a cabinet to form additional embodiments of the invention, as described in further detail below.
An example embodiment of a cabinet 100 of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 9 through 11. The cabinet 100 includes a lower portion 102 and an upper portion 104. The lower portion 102 of the cabinet 100 includes one or more storage compartments 108, which may comprise, for example, one or more drawers or shelves. The lower portion 102 of the cabinet also comprises a top working surface 106. The upper portion 104 of the cabinet 100 also includes one or more storage compartments 110, which also may comprise, for example, one or more drawers or shelves. The upper portion 104 of the cabinet 100 also includes a bottom surface 114.
The cabinet 100 also comprises an embodiment of a mounting device of the present invention, such as the mounting device 10 previously described herein with reference to FIGS. 1 through 4. For example, a mounting device 10 as previously described herein may be mounted to the bottom surface 114 of the upper portion 104 of the cabinet 100. An electronic display device 130, such as, for example, a flat panel television or a computer monitor, may be mounted to the cabinet 100 using the mounting device 10.
By way of example and not limitation, the central base portion 20 of the mounting device 10 may be attached to the bottom surface 114 of the upper portion 104 of the cabinet 100 such that the bracket member 16 hangs below the track 12. In this configuration, an electronic display device 130 attached to he bracket member 16 may be suspended between the upper portion 104 and the lower portion 102 of the cabinet 100.
The track 12 of the mounting device 10 may be positioned on the bottom surface 114 of the upper portion 104 of the cabinet such that the track 12 extends at least generally parallel to the front surface 116 of the upper portion 104 of the cabinet 100, and at least generally perpendicular to the lateral side surfaces 118 of the upper portion 104 of the cabinet 100. Furthermore, the track 12 of the mounting device 10 may have a selected length that enables the electronic display device 130 attached to the mounting device 10 to be moved at least substantially entirely across a full length (as measured between the lateral side surfaces 118) of the upper portion 104 of the cabinet 100. For example, FIG. 9 shows the electronic display device 130 positioned on the right hand side of the cabinet 100, with the front display surface 132 of the electronic display device 130 oriented toward the front of the cabinet 100, and FIG. 10 shows the electronic display device 130 positioned on the left hand side of the cabinet 100, with the front display surface 132 of the electronic display device 130 oriented toward the front of the cabinet 100. FIG. 11 shows the electronic display device 130 positioned on the left hand side of the cabinet 100, with the front display surface 132 of the electronic display device 130 oriented toward the left lateral side of the cabinet 100.
The track 12 may be positioned a selected distance from the front surface 116 (or a selected average distance in embodiments in which the front surface 116 is not planar) to cause a front display surface 132 of the electronic display device 130 to be disposed within a certain, preselected distance from the front surface 116 when the electronic display device 130 is oriented toward the front of the cabinet 100, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 (and the bracket member is in one of the positions shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B and in FIGS. 7A and 7B ). By way of example and not limitation, the track 12 may be positioned a selected average distance from the front surface 116 to cause the front display surface 132 of the electronic display device 130 to be between about zero centimeters (0 cm.) and about thirteen centimeters (13.0 cm.) from the front surface 116 when the electronic display device 130 is oriented towards the front of the cabinet 100. More particularly, the track 12 may be positioned a selected average distance from the front surface 116 to cause the front display surface 132 of the electronic display device 130 to project outwardly from the front surface 116 by a distance of between about five centimeters (5.0 cm.) and about thirteen centimeters (13.0 in.) when the electronic display device 130 is oriented towards the front of the cabinet 100.
The track 12 may be provided with a selected length, and may be positioned on the bottom surface 114 such that a predetermined distance is provided between the lateral side surfaces 118 and each of the first longitudinal end 18A and the second longitudinal end 18B of the track, respectively. The predetermined distance may be selected to cause a front display surface 132 of the electronic display device 130 to be disposed within a certain, preselected distance from the lateral side surfaces 118 when the electronic display device 130 is moved to the respective longitudinal ends 18A, 18B of the track 12 and oriented towards the respective sides of the cabinet 100, as shown in FIG. 11 (and the bracket member is in one of the positions shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B and in FIGS. 8A and 8B). By way of example and not limitation, the predetermined distance may be selected to cause a front display surface 132 of the electronic display device 130 to be between about zero centimeters (0 cm.) and about thirteen centimeters (13.0 cm.) from the lateral side surfaces 118 when the electronic display device 130 is moved to the respective longitudinal ends 18A, 18B of the track 12 and oriented towards the respective sides of the cabinet 100. More particularly, the predetermined distance may be selected to cause a front display surface 132 of the electronic display device 130 to project outward from the lateral side surfaces 118 by a distance of between about five centimeters (5.0 cm.) and about thirteen centimeters (13.0 in.) when the electronic display device 130 is moved to the respective longitudinal ends 18A, 18B of the track 12 and oriented towards the respective sides of the cabinet 100.
In the configuration described above, by employing embodiments of mounting devices of the present invention, the electronic display device 130 may be moved to any number of positions along a length of the cabinet below the front surface 116, and can be positioned to face to the front of the cabinet 100 or to the lateral sides of the cabinet 100.
In some embodiments, the cabinet 100 may further include one or more additional storage compartments 122 disposed between the upper portion 104 and the lower portion 102 of the cabinet 100. A front surface 124 of the one or more additional storage compartments 122 may be recessed relative to the front surface 116 of the upper portion 104 of the cabinet 100 to provide space for the mounting device 10 and the electronic display device 130 below the upper portion 104 of the cabinet 100 and in front of the one or more additional storage compartments 122. Although the electronic display device 130 may impede access to the additional storage compartments 122 when the electronic display device 130 is positioned directly in front thereof, the mounting device 10 enables the electronic display device 130 to be moved out of the way of the additional storage compartments 122 to enable access thereto when necessary or desirable. More specifically, the mounting device 10 enables the electronic display device 130, which may be pivotably coupled thereto, to be rotated or pivoted such that underlying features, such as the storage compartments 122, may be readily accessed or adjusted by a user.
Embodiments of cabinets of the present invention, such as the cabinet 100 previously described herein with reference to FIGS. 9 through 11, may find particular utility in offices for the health professionals, such as, for example, medical and dental offices. It is often necessary or desirable to provide a cabinet within such an office to store medical or dental supplies and equipment, and further to provide a convenient place for the mounting of an electronic display device.
While the present invention has been described herein with respect to certain preferred embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize and appreciate that it is not so limited. Rather, many additions, deletions and modifications to the preferred embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed. In addition, features from one embodiment may be combined with features of another embodiment while still being encompassed within the scope of the invention as contemplated by the inventors.
Patent Application
20100059640
