Patent Application
20120134519
Not Applicable.
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the field of audio-visual systems. More specifically, the invention comprises a television mount incorporating an integrated audio system.
2. Description of the Related Art
The nature of televisions has changed dramatically over the past several years. Picture-tube based televisions were inherently bulky, with the depth of the unit being comparable to its other dimensions. While this made the units visually unappealing, the bulky cabinetry did provide ample volume for the inclusion of integrated audio systems. A picture-tube television having a diagonal frontal dimension of 40 inches (about 100 centimeters) typically had a cabinet depth of about 30 inches (about 75 centimeters).
With the advent of modern electronics and their inherent space efficiency, much of the cabinet space available in picture-tube televisions was vacant. Thus, a television manufacturer could easily incorporate relatively large audio speakers (such as 4 inches by 6 inches) into the cabinet. Speakers of this size allowed a rich tonal quality to the sound produced.
The prior art changed dramatically when tube-less designs appeared. These are generally referred to as “flat screen” televisions. Examples include liquid crystal displays (“LCD's”) and plasma displays. Flat screen televisions are typically very thin. In fact, limiting the depth of a flat screen television has become a styling goal for most manufacturers. A flat screen television with a diagonal frontal dimension of 40 inches (100 centimeters) may have a depth less than two inches (5 centimeters). The television's perimeter is typically made even thinner. The perimeter is often less than one inch (2.5 centimeters) thick.
The visual performance of modern flat screen televisions is a significantly better than picture-tube based televisions. However, the limited space within the “cabinet” of a flat screen (to the extent one can even call such a thin structure a cabinet) leaves very little room for audio components. The solution has been to use increasingly smaller audio transducers.
Another styling goal has been to occupy as much of the forward-facing surface as possible with the television display itself. Thus, the audio transducers which are present are often now in a sub-optimal orientation; that is, the speaker cones face to the side or even to the rear of the television and do not direct the sound energy toward the user. The result is that—while the video performance of these devices has progressed markedly—the audio performance has at best remained stagnant and has in most instances even deteriorated.
A consumer buying a high-performance flat screen television often desires a “home theater” experience in which the sound quality is comparable in volume and range to the sound heard in a movie theater. Such a consumer will not be satisfied with the limited acoustic performance of a modern flat screen television. The consumer must bring in additional components to solve this problem.
Audio solutions for home theater systems are widely varied and complex.
Cables run between rack 24 and flat screen television 10. In this example, a two channel audio cable 14 is run from the television to amplifier 12. In other examples, a single HDMI cable may be connected from the cable box to the amplifier, with a second HDMI cable running from the amplifier to the television. These represent a hard-wired connection between the amplifier and the television.
The speakers are also connected to the amplifier. Left channel speaker 22 is connected via speaker cable 26. Center channel speaker 16 is connected via its own cable (not visible in the view). Right channel speaker 20 and subwoofer 18 are also connected to the amplifier via speaker cables 26.
The system shown in
The present invention seeks to resolve this dilemma by integrating an external audio system into the television's mount. Modern television mounts attach to the rear of the television or the base of the television. The volume immediately behind the television is typically not used.
Many other mounting systems exist. The TV bracket in some of these other systems attaches to the wall bracket by pivoting into position rather than sliding. The general concept of having a first portion attached to the wall and a second portion attached to the television is used in nearly every prior art mounting system.
A significant gap typically remains between the rear of the television and the wall itself. This gap is mostly occupied by the mount itself. The present invention seeks to take advantage of this potentially available space by creating a mounting system with an integrated high-fidelity audio system in this space.
The present invention comprises a television mount incorporating an integrated audio system. The mount attaches the television to a wall. Alternatively, the mount incorporates a pedestal so that the television and associated audio devices may be placed upon a flat surface. A main bracket and television bracket of suitable design are included. As for the prior art, the main bracket may be attached to the wall and the television bracket attached to the television. The two components are preferably designed to easily engage so that the user may hang the television on the wall without the need for complex operations.
The main bracket mounts an electronics/subwoofer enclosure. This enclosure house an audio amplifier (which may be a sophisticated frequency splitting device such as a PRO/LOGIC system) and a low-range speaker. A resonance chamber and bass port are included in the electronics/subwoofer enclosure so that the low-range speaker can accurately project the low-frequency portion of the audio spectrum.
One or more external speaker supports are included in the mount—preferably by attaching the supports to the electronics/subwoofer enclosure. The speaker supports are preferably made adjustable so that the degree of extension from the mount may be adjusted by the user.
In the preferred embodiment a separately adjustable support is provided for a left speaker, a center speaker, and a right speaker. Suitable audio speakers are attached to the speaker supports. The location of the speakers is then adjusted so that they lie beyond the perimeter of a television attached to the mount. The speakers may be wired to the electronics housed within the electronics/subwoofer enclosure. The signal to each speaker may also be transmitted wirelessly if desired. The result is an integrated audio/video system in which all components are located together in one aesthetically clean package.
The present invention integrates a flat screen television and an external audio system into a unified mount.
Enclosure mounting holes 48 are provided so that an electronics enclosure may be attached to main bracket 38. One or more openings are preferably provided through the main bracket so that audio and/or video cables may be easily passed through the bracket. In the embodiment shown in
In
Center support 62, left support 58, and right support 60 are all connected to the integration assembly. In the embodiment shown, they are actually connected to electronics/subwoofer enclosure 50. The supports are preferably adjustable in terms of extension. They can slide in and out of the electronics/subwoofer enclosure. They are preferably also pivotally adjustable.
Left speaker assembly 52 is attached to left support 58. Center speaker assembly 56 is attached to center support 62. Right speaker assembly 54 is attached to right support 60. The speaker assemblies may assume any desired form. The embodiments shown include three speakers each—in a linear array.
It is preferable to provide an electronics/subwoofer enclosure which may be attached to the main bracket before the main bracket is attached to the wall or a pedestal.
Once the main bracket is in position, the user will wish to attach the flat screen television.
The rear of the television typically also includes A/V connection block 70 and power connection 68. The power connection allows a power cord to be plugged in. The A/V connection block typically provides for the connection of multiple cables of multiple types, including: HDMI, DVI, component video, S-video, composite video, RGB/VGA, and digital optical. The mounting system should provide access to the A/V connection block and the power connection.
The physical connection made between the television and the main bracket can assume a virtually endless variety of forms. Thus, the embodiment shown in
In
The reader will thereby appreciate that each gripping bracket 76 may be pivoted with respect to its connected TV bracket 72. The desired pivot position may then be secured by tightening the appropriate locking screw 82. The design shown allows the reader to adjust the tilt of the television after it is attached to the main bracket—as will be explained subsequently.
The two gripping brackets 76 are provided with features allowing them to be fastened to main bracket 38. The reader will note that the upper portion of each gripping bracket has an extension extending toward the rear. This extension includes an upper notch 78. The lower portion of each gripping bracket likewise includes a lower notch 80. The upper notches are sized and positioned to slip over and engage upper flange 40 on main bracket 38 while the lower notches are sized and positioned to slip over and engage lower flange 42 on main bracket 38. The notches preferably have a tapered entry, fillets, or other similar features to help the user engage the gripping brackets with the main brackets.
Turning now to
Supports 58, 60, and 62 preferably include frictional or other features which allow them to be adjusted but maintain position once the adjustment is made.
The specific design of the mounting bracketry is not significant to the present invention. Thus, the reader should bear in mind that the invention includes many different types of mounting arrangements that may appear and function in different ways from the illustrated embodiment.
Likewise, the design of the electronics enclosure may assume many forms. However, as it may aid the reader's understanding, a detailed description of one embodiment will be provided.
The chassis includes other features as well. In the embodiment shown, the speaker supports (left support 58, right support 60, and center support 62) are all attached to the electronics/subwoofer enclosure. This need not always be the case as they could be attached directly to main bracket 38 or some other component. However—in the embodiment shown—left support 58 is slidably and pivotally received within left receiver 102. Right support 60 is slidably and pivotally received within right receiver 108. Center support 62 is slidably and pivotally received within center receiver 110.
As stated previously, the receivers are preferably equipped with frictional features which allow adjustment but tend to retain the speaker assemblies in position once the user releases them. One example of a frictional fit is to make the speaker support tubular and provide the receivers with NYLON bushings which fit tightly around the tubes.
Other components may he contained within the chassis. Power supply 112 provides power to amplifier 116. R/F module 114 may be provided to supply wireless outputs to some or all of the speakers. The connections between the audio amplifier and the left, right, and center speaker assemblies may be hard-wired, wireless, or a mixture of the two.
Amplifier 116 may assume many forms. In some instances it may be a pass-through device which simply passes through the channel-specific signals received from an external surround-sound amplifier. In other instances it may itself be a sophisticated surround sound amplifier which receives an input signal from a cable or satellite feed and splits that signal into the appropriate channels, including, left, right, center, and rear.
In some versions the amplifier may receive its input from the flat screen TV. In other versions the amplifier will receive its input from an external cable or satellite decoder with no connection being made between the amplifier and the TV itself.
Other features may be added to the integrated system.
The specific speaker configurations and positions shown in the invention should not be viewed as limiting.
As disclosed previously, main bracket 38 may be configured to mount to a wall or to a pedestal. It is even possible to provide a main bracket which can be optionally attached to either a wall or a pedestal.
The preceding description contains significant detail regarding the novel aspects of the present invention. It should not be construed, however, as limiting the scope of the invention but rather as providing illustrations of the preferred embodiments of the invention. As an example, although the illustrated embodiments show a design wherein the bass speaker is mounted within the electronics/subwoofer enclosure, the bass speaker could actually be mounted adjacent to the electronics enclosure in a completely separate enclosure. Thus, the scope of the invention should be fixed by the following claims, rather than by the examples given.
