The present invention relates to mounts, and more specifically, to methods and systems for mounting devices in a suspended ceiling.
The use of visual media in business settings has proliferated greatly in recent years due to the widespread availability and decreasing cost of visual projection systems. It is now common in commercial settings to have a projector, screen, or other visual media device more or less permanently installed in one or more conference or meeting rooms.
In some meeting room settings, it is desirable to have a projector, screen, or other media device that is always available for use, but that is concealed for security or aesthetic reasons when not in use. Consequently, automated lift devices have been developed that enable a projector to be selectively concealed above a suspended ceiling in a room. An example of one such prior art lift device is the SL-236SP SMART-LIFT Automated Projector Mount, made by Chief Manufacturing of Savage, Minn.
A drawback of mount devices such as the SL-236SP is that they can tend to be heavy and bulky, requiring at least two persons for installation in the room. Also, the installation can be time-consuming and difficult. Consequently, what is needed is a simpler and more effective method and system for mounting a projector above a suspended ceiling such that the projector mount can be installed in a minimal amount of time by one person.
Other media devices such as retractable screens can also advantageously be installed in suspended ceilings. Such devices can likewise be heavy or bulky, such that installation by one person can be difficult or impossible. What is needed is new methods and systems for installing such devices that enable installation by only one person without the need for assistance by others.
The present invention meets the needs of the industry for a simpler and more effective method and system for mounting a projector or other ceiling mounted device above a suspended ceiling such that the mount or device can be installed in a minimal amount of time by one person.
In an embodiment, a system for installing a device in a suspended ceiling grid includes a device housing, and a frame adapted to be received in the suspended ceiling grid. The device housing is received in an aperture defined by the frame. A plurality of structures releasably secures the device housing to the frame. The plurality of structures for releasably securing the device housing to the frame may include at least one spring latch assembly. The system may further include a plurality of suspension wires for attaching the frame to an overhead structure. The system may also include a projector mount received in the device housing or a retractable screen received in the device housing.
In an embodiment a method of installing a device in a suspended ceiling grid includes inserting a frame in an aperture defined by the suspended ceiling grid, the frame defining a frame aperture, attaching the frame to an overhead structure with a plurality of suspension wires, inserting a device housing in the frame aperture, and latching the device housing to the frame. The method may further include disposing a device in the device housing after the device housing is latched to the frame. In embodiments of the invention, the step of latching the device housing to the frame comprises advancing the device housing through the frame aperture, thereby retracting a plurality of spring latches. In other embodiments, the step of latching the device housing to the frame comprises manually operating at least one latch attached to the device housing or the frame.
In an embodiment, a system for installing a device in a suspended ceiling grid includes a device housing, a frame adapted to be received in the suspended ceiling grid, the device housing received in an aperture defined by the frame, and means for releasably securing the device housing to the frame. The means for releasably securing the device housing to the frame may include a plurality of spring latch assemblies. In embodiments of the invention, each spring latch assembly may include a latch member operably coupled to the device housing and a biasing spring arranged to bias a portion of the latch member outwardly through an aperture in the device housing.
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:
While the present invention is amenable 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 as defined by the appended claims.
A projector mount 20 according to embodiments of the invention is depicted in
Mount housing 24 generally includes a plurality of side panels 58, and a top panel 60. Each spring latch assembly 62 generally includes L-shaped latch body 66 and biasing spring 68. As depicted in
Cradle 28 generally includes frame 80 and ceiling panel portion 82. Cradle 28 is coupled to lift assembly 26 such that cradle 28 is selectively extendable through the open bottom of housing 24 upon operation of lift assembly 28. Ceiling panel portion 82 effectively closes the open bottom of housing 24 when the lift assembly 26 is fully retracted.
The various installation steps for installing mount 20 in a suspended ceiling grid 84 are depicted in
Next suspension wires 90 are attached to frame 22 as depicted in
It will be appreciated that the system and method of the present invention can advantageously provide significant installation time savings, installing up to 10 times faster than previous mount systems. Further, because of the modular configuration of mount 20, with separate frame 22, housing 24, and cradle 28, the system may be installed by one person using only one ladder. Due to the lighter weight of each component lift afforded by the modular configuration, no floor lifting device is generally needed for the installation.
It will also be appreciated that other latching arrangements can be substituted for spring latch 62 within the scope of the present invention. Embodiments including such alternative latching arrangements are depicted in exemplary fashion in
In
In
In
It will be further appreciated that embodiments of the invention may enable installation of other ceiling mounted devices, such as retractable viewing screen enclosures and the like. For example, a retractable screen assembly 150 including a screen 152 and housing 154 is depicted in
The foregoing descriptions present numerous specific details that provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments of the invention. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various embodiments, having been disclosed herein, may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, known components have not been described in detail in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present invention. It is to be understood that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of various embodiments are set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of various embodiments, this disclosure is illustrative only. Other embodiments may be constructed that nevertheless employ the principles and spirit of the present invention. Accordingly, this application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the invention. It is manifestly intended that this invention be limited only by the following claims and equivalents thereof.
Any incorporation by reference of documents above is limited such that no subject matter is incorporated that is contrary to the explicit disclosure herein. Any incorporation by reference of non-priority documents above is further limited such that no claims included in the documents are incorporated by reference herein and any definitions provided in the documents are not incorporated by reference herein unless expressly included herein.
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.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/351,523, entitled PROJECTOR MOUNT AND METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR INSTALLING A PROJECTOR MOUNT IN A SUSPENDED CEILING, filed on Jun. 4, 2010, said application hereby fully incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61351523 | Jun 2010 | US |