WO2008123852A1

WO2008123852A1 - Flat panel monitor mounting apparatus with vibration attenuation

Info

Publication number: WO2008123852A1
Application number: PCT/US2007/008868
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alan R. Gillengerten
Original assignee: Ginni Designs, Llc
Priority date: 2007-04-07
Filing date: 2007-04-07
Publication date: 2008-10-16

Abstract

A wall mounting apparatus for a flat panel monitor has a wall mounting plate, a monitor mounting plate, and an extensible frame joining the mounting plates. The extensible frame is infinitely positionable between a folded and an extended positions for extending the monitor away from the wall. An adjuster provides selective directional positioning of the monitor mounting plate, and a vibration attenuator absorbs vibrations originating in the flat panel monitor so that they are not transferred to a wall.

Description

TITLE OF THE INVENTION

Flat Panel Monitor Mounting Apparatus With Vibration Attenuation

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Present Disclosure

[1] This disclosure relates generally to flat panel television mounts and more particularly to such a mount with vibration attenuation.

Description of Related Art including information disclosed under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98

[2] Mossman, U.S. application 20060208139, discloses a video monitor mount which includes a first piece adapted to be fastened to a wall and a second piece adapted to be fastened to a video monitor. The first piece includes a bubble level and a first mating component and the second piece includes a second mating component. The first piece or the second piece comprises an extension arm having a rotation joint that comprises a brass bushing.

[3] Khanna, U.S. 3992963, discloses a torsional vibration damper having two inertia members. A first inertia member is coupled to a hub by elastomer. A second inertia member is positioned within an annular cavity and is surrounded by a liquid of high viscosity. Under the influence of torsional vibrations relative movement arises between the hub and first inertia member, the hub and the second inertia member, and the first and second inertia members. The latter relative motion inhibits the attainment of resonance by either of the two inertia members.

[4] Czech et al, U.S. 4570892, discloses a support base for a display monitor which provides for the rotation and stable orientation of the monitor over a range of tilt angles. An upper portion of the base is adapted to receive a turntable having an upper concave surface adapted to receive a complementary convex lower portion of the display monitor's cabinet. The concave surface of the turntable includes a first pair of spaced guide rails adapted to receive and engage respective complementary guide rail assemblies positioned on the convex lower portion of the monitor. The convex lower portion of the cabinet is further provided with a pair of spaced projections for insertion within respective elongated apertures in the turntable which are parallel to and in spaced relation with its guide rails. Each of these projection assemblies includes engaging means such as the combination of a spring washer and coiled spring for engaging the turntable adjacent to a respective elongated aperture in maintaining the monitor firmly positioned within the turntable's concave surface. A biasing arrangement urges the monitor in a first direction of rotation within the turntable's concave surface which is opposite to the rotational moment of the monitor due to its center of gravity. The lower surface of the turntable is provided with a pair of spaced bosses which are adapted for insertion within and engagement with a respective arcuate slot in the upper surface of the base to provide secured coupling between the base and the turntable and allow for rotational displacement therebetween.

[5] Anderson, U.S. 5064161, discloses a ceiling mount assembly which facilitates easy installation of commonly available TV monitors without the need for drilling holes or otherwise modifying the monitor. The monitor is retained in a position such that its screen is horizontal for viewing from below by medical and dental patients and other persons in a supine position. The ceiling mount assembly includes a pair of support members that are mounted to adjacent ceiling joists, a fixed U-shaped frame member dependent from the pair of support members in which two corners of a TV monitor are cradled, and a dependent U-shaped bail member hingedly attached to the pair of support members and adapted to be retained within a slot in the front surface of most commercially available 13" TV monitors. A pair of J-hook rods are connected between the fixed U-shaped frame member and the U-shaped bail member to improve the rigidity of the assembly.

[6] Roland et al., U.S. 5171790, discloses an elastomer blend for dissipation of mechanical and sonic energyy over a broad temperature range. This blend of elastomers comprises from about 60-95% by weight of polybutadiene having more than about 90% 1,2-microstructure and a molecular weight of at least 80,000, the balance being predominantly polyisoprene having at least about 70% cis-1,4- microstructure and a molecular weight of at least 120,000. The blend has a single glass transition ranging over at least sixty Centigrade degrees.

[7] Maciejewski et al., U.S. 5580917, discloses a hydrostatically damping, shock and vibration energy absorbing, non-vulcanisable silicone elastomer that is composed of a methylphenylsilicone polymer in which as on the matrix a condensation of polydimethyl- or/and methylhydrosiloxane diols are condensed with reactive compounds of silicon, boron or nitrogen giving the viscous polymer appropriate elasticity coefficient by forming mobile hydrogen bonds. The elastomer according to the invention contains also fillers and lubricants.

[8] Yamada et al., U.S. 6722641, discloses a liquid filled type vibration isolator in which damping action for both engine idling vibration and engine shake is carried out with the use of a single orifice. In the liquid filled type vibration isolator comprising a rubber-like insulator for absorbing and isolating vibration transmitted from an oscillating body, a main chamber having a chamber wall formed by a part of the insulator, and hermetically charged therein with liquid, an auxiliary chamber connected to the main chamber through the intermediary of an orifice and having a chamber wall a part of which is formed by a first diaphragm, a partition member partitioning between the main chamber and the auxiliary chamber, a working chamber defined and formed with respect to the main chamber by means of a second diaphragm, wherein the second diaphragm has a deforming stiffness which is higher than that of the first diaphragm. The liquid in the orifice effects resonant oscillation with a vibration input during engine idling operation.

[9] Hoebener, U.S. 7077373, discloses a mount for an appliance such as a TV monitor which includes a box-like frame having a catch part at the top of the frame.

A swivel part which may be attached to either the ceiling or the wall is provided. The catch part has a slot into which the swivel part is fitted, thus engaging the catch part to support the frame and the appliance. The disclosed support provides for ease of assembly as the appliance is supported from the ceiling or wall by the mere placement of said swivel in the catch part, without requiring any other assembly. The appliance may be tilted or rotated in the support.

[10] Hitchcock et al., U.S. 7086507, discloses a tunable vibration isolation device comprising a magneto-rheological elastomer (MRE)₃ and methods of using such a device. By manipulating a magnetic field within the MRE the device's stiffness is controlled. The vibration isolator can be constructed to provide shock absorption in one, two and three dimensions. Coupling the tunable device to a sensor feedback and a control system provides fast and accurate vibration isolation and energy dissipation for shock events in a variety of applications.

[11] Lerner et al, U.S. 7102474, discloses an adaptive vibration absorber (AVA) and variation thereof including variations in methods and systems of usage. An exemplary AVA may operate adaptively over an appropriate relatively wide bandwidth or frequency range in vibration absorption without adding energy to the system and the problems associated with such energy addition. Further, the exemplary AVA may be of low cost as well as lightweight and compact.

[12] The related art described above discloses methods and materials for vibration isolation as well as means for mounting flat panel monitors. However, the prior art fails to disclose an apparatus capable of mounting such a monitor while isolating its vibrations from the surface to which it is mounted. The present disclosure distinguishes over the prior art providing heretofore unknown advantages as described in the following summary.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[13] This disclosure teaches certain benefits in construction and use which give rise to the objectives described below. [14] Flat panel television sets are typically mounted on a wall surface of a room. In hotels, for instance, usually the headboard of the bed is against one wall and the television is mounted on the opposing wall. This arrangement is almost universal. However, this means that the television set in one hotel room is mounted on one side of a common wall with the headboard of the bed in the adjacent hotel room. The audio portion of television programming and video games travels through the television mount structure to the supporting wall surface and then is efficiently transmitted through wall spaces to adjoining rooms. This is a problem requiring a solution. The present invention is a wall mounting apparatus for a flat panel monitor or television which provides a low cost solution to this problem. The wall mount has a wall mounting plate, a monitor mounting plate, and an extensible frame joining these mounting plates. The extensible frame is mfinitely positionable between a folded and an extended positions for extending the monitor away from the wall. An adjuster provides selective directional positioning of the monitor mounting plate. A vibration attenuator absorbs vibrations originating in the flat panel monitor or television so that they are not transferred to the wall.

[15] A primary objective inherent in the above described apparatus and method of use is to provide advantages not taught by the prior art.

[16] Another objective is to isolate or attenuate audio vibrations originating in a flat panel monitor or television that is mounted on a wall.

[17] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the presently described apparatus and method of its use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWTNG(S)

[ 18] Illustrated in the accompanying drawing(s) is at least one of the best mode embodiments of the present invention In such drawing(s): [19] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first flat panel television mount according to the invention;

[20] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a second flat panel television mount according to the invention;

[21] Figure 3 is a partial elevational view of the second mount with a portion shown in cutaway view; and

[22] Figure 4 is a section view of a typical hardware engagement used in the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[23] The above described drawing figures illustrate the described apparatus and its method of use in at least one of its preferred, best mode embodiment, which is further defined in detail in the following description. Those having ordinary skill in the art may be able to make alterations and modifications to what is described herein without departing from its spirit and scope. Therefore, it must be understood that what is illustrated is set forth only for the purposes of example and that it should not be taken as a limitation in the scope of the present apparatus and method of use.

[24] The present invention is a mounting apparatus for securing a flat panel monitor 5 onto a wall surface 7. The term, "monitor" shall refer herein to video displays of all types as well as flat panel television sets and electronic screens such as LCD and plasma screens. The apparatus includes a wall mounting plate 10 which is securely fastened to a wall surface (not shown), and a monitor mounting plate 20 which is securely fastened to monitor 5. Joining plates 10 and 20 is an extensible frame 30 of structural construction to enable it to support the monitor 5 when positioned up to four feet from plate 10. The extensible frame 30 provides arms 35 and 37 so that it is adjustable between a folded (close to plate 10), and an extended (distant from plate 10), positions for adjusting the space between the wall mounting plate 10 and the monitor mounting plate 20. Preferably, the extensible frame 30 provides an adjustor 32 (Fig. 1) adapted for selective positioning of the monitor mounting plate 20, and therefore, the monitor 5 itself. For instance, with the frame 30 extended, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, adjustor 32 may be manually loosened to position plate 20 as shown by arrows "A" and "B" in Fig. 1. Arrow "A" indicates that plate 20 may be rotated about horizontal axis A-A to tilt monitor 5 upward and downward, while arrow "B" indicates that plate 20 can be rotated about vertical axis B-B to position monitor 5 to the left and to the right of a nominal center position. Monitor 5 is shown in Fig. 2. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, plates 10 and 20 may take various forms, shapes and sizes. The numerals 10 and 20 are used here to indicated the function of plates 10 and 20, rather than their particular physical configurations.

[25] The term, "vibration attenuator 40" shall refer herein to one or more, and to a collection of, vibration absorbing and isolating elements which comprise a system for isolating vibrations. Such vibrations are normally generated by an audio system, including loudspeakers, within the monitor 5, and are transmitted from the monitor 5 to the monitor mounting plate 20, the frame 30, the wall mounting plate 10 and ultimately to the wall plate 30 is fastened to.

[26] Vibration attenuator 40 preferably includes a first vibration isolating mat 42 engaged; preferably bonded, to plate 10, as shown in Fig. 2. A second vibration isolating mat 44 is engaged with the monitor mounting plate 20 in the same manner. Mounting fasteners such as screws 3 are used to secure plate 10 to a wall and also to secure monitor 5 to plate 20 as shown. Attenuator 40 preferably also includes vibration absorbing shoulder washers 46 as shown in the cross section illustration in Fig. 4, which isolate vibrations in screws 3 from plate 20 and also isolate screws 3 from plate 10. In some installations, mat 42 may not be needed and washers 46 may not be needed under screws 3 at plate 10 if vibrations are attenuated to a low enough level prior to reaching plate 10. [27] Vibration attenuator 40 preferably also includes isolation of a first portion (arm 37) of frame 30, from a second portion (arm 35) by a length of tubular vibration absorbing material 48, as best seen in Fig. 3. In Fig. 2, it is shown that arm 35 is joined with arms 37 through coupling sections 39. Arm 35 terminates with rod 36, and brass bushing 34 is press-fitted thereon. Arm 37 is terminated with the tubular portion of material 48 which is preferably bonded to the inside surface of arm 37. A second brass bushing 38 is bonded to the inside surface of material 48 and bushing 38 is sized to slide on bushing 34 to enable rotation of arm 35 with respect to arm 37. The size and thickness of tubular vibration absorbing material 48, as well as mats 42 and 44, and shoulder washers 48 are made selected to attenuate vibration to a desired level. Preferably, an elastomeric blend of materials containing primarily polybutadiene is used for these isolation elements. For instance, a blend of polybutadiene and polyisoprene has been found to provide exceptional vibration absorption characteristics in the audio range from 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz.

[28] The enablements described in detail above are considered novel over the prior art of record and are considered critical to the operation of at least one aspect of the apparatus and its method of use and to the achievement of the above described objectives. The words used in this specification to describe the instant embodiments are to be understood not only in the sense of their commonly defined meanings, but to include by special definition in this specification: structure, material or acts beyond the scope of the commonly defined meanings. Thus if an element can be understood in the context of this specification as including more than one meaning, then its use must be understood as being generic to all possible meanings supported by the specification and by the word or words describing the element.

[29] The definitions of the words or drawing elements described herein are meant to include not only the combination of elements which are literally set forth, but all equivalent structure, material or acts for performing substantially the same function in substantially the same way to obtain substantially the same result. In this sense it is therefore contemplated that an equivalent substitution of two or more elements may be made for any one of the elements described and its various embodiments or that a single element may be substituted for two or more elements in a claim.

[30] Changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by a person with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, are expressly contemplated as being equivalents within the scope intended and its various embodiments. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scope of the defined elements. This disclosure is thus meant to be understood to include what is specifically illustrated and described above, what is conceptually equivalent, what can be obviously substituted, and also what incorporates the essential ideas.

[31] The scope of this description is to be interpreted only in conjunction with the appended claims and it is made clear, here, that each named inventor believes that the claimed subject matter is what is intended to be patented.

Claims

CLAIM(S)What is claimed is:

Claim 1. A wall mounting apparatus for securing a flat panel monitor on a wall, the apparatus comprising: a wall mounting plate, a monitor mounting plate for securing the flat panel monitor thereto, and an extensible frame joining the wall mounting plate with the monitor mounting plate; the extensible frame infinitely positionable between a folded and an extended positions for adjusting a space between the wall mounting plate and the monitor mounting plate; the extensible frame providing an adjustor, the adjustor adapted for selective positioning of the monitor mounting plate; and a vibration attenuator positioned in at least one of the wall mounting plate, the monitor mounting plate and the frame thereby enabling the vibration attenuator to absorb vibrations of the monitor prior to conducting the vibrations to the wall.

Claim 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the vibration attenuator is a first vibration isolating mat engaged on a mounting surface of the wall mounting plate; and a second vibration isolating mat engaged on a mounting surface of the monitor mounting plate.

Claim 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the vibration attenuator further comprises plural mounting fasteners for securing the wall mounting plate to a wall, and for securing the monitor mounting plate to the flat panel monitor, the mounting fasteners each having a vibration absorbing shoulder washer engaged therewith.

Claim 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a first portion of the extensible frame is joined with, and vibration isolated from, a second portion of the extensible frame by a length of tubular vibration absorbing material.

Claim 5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first said portion of the extensible frame is tubular; the absorbing material bonded coaxially on an inside surface thereof, and to an outside surface of the second said portion, whereby, the first and second said portions are in contact only through the absorbing material.

Claim 6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the vibration attenuator is of an elastomeric blend of materials containing primarily polybutadiene.

Claim 7. An apparatus comprising in combination: a flat panel monitor; and a flat panel monitor wall mounting apparatus for securing the flat panel monitor on a wall, the wall mounting apparatus providing: a wall mounting plate, a monitor mounting plate, and an extensible frame joining the wall mounting plate with the monitor mounting plate; the extensible frame infinitely positionable between a folded and an extended positions for adjusting a space between the wall mounting plate and the monitor mounting plate; the extensible frame providing an adjustor, the adjuster adapted for selective positioning of the monitor mounting plate; and a vibration attenuator positioned in at least one of the wall mounting plate, the monitor mounting plate and the frame thereby enabling the vibration attenuator to absorb vibrations of the monitor prior to conducting the vibrations to the wall.

Claim 8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the vibration attenuator is a first vibration isolating mat engaged on a mounting surface of the wall mounting plate; and a second vibration isolating mat engaged on a mounting surface of the monitor mounting plate.

Claim 9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the vibration attenuator further comprises plural mounting fasteners for securing the wall mounting plate to the wall, and securing the monitor mounting plate to the flat panel monitor, the mounting fasteners each having a vibration absorbing shoulder washer engaged therewith.

Claim 10. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein a first portion of the extensible frame is joined with, and vibration isolated from, a second portion of the extensible frame by a length of tubular vibration absorbing material.

Claim 11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein one of the first and second portions of the extensible frame is tubular; the absorbing material bonded coaxially to the first said portion on an inside surface thereof, and to an outside surface of the second said portion, whereby, the first and second said portions are in contact only through the absorbing material.

Claiml2. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the vibration attenuator is of an elastomeric blend of materials containing primarily polybutadiene.

Claim 13. An apparatus comprising in combination: a flat panel monitor; and a flat panel monitor wall mounting apparatus for securing the flat panel monitor on a wall, the wall mounting apparatus providing: a wall mounting plate, a monitor mounting plate, and an extensible frame joining the wall mounting plate with the monitor mounting plate; the extensible frame infinitely positionable between a folded and an extended positions for adjusting a space between the wall mounting plate and the monitor mounting plate; the extensible frame providing an adjustor, the adjustor adapted for selective positioning of the monitor mounting plate; and a vibration attenuator positioned in the wall mounting plate, the monitor mounting plate and the frame, thereby enabling the vibration attenuator to absorb vibrations of the monitor prior to conducting the vibrations to the wall.

Claim 14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the vibration attenuator includes a first vibration isolating mat engaged on a mounting surface of the wall mounting plate; and a second vibration isolating mat engaged on a mounting surface of the monitor mounting plate.

Claim 15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the vibration attenuator further includes plural mounting fasteners for securing the wall mounting plate to the wall, and securing the flat panel monitor to the mounting plate, the mounting fasteners each having a vibration absorbing shoulder washer engaged therewith.

Claim 16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the vibration attenuator further includes a length of tubular vibration absorbing material fastened within a first portion of the extensible frame and receiving therein, a second portion of the extensible frame.

Claim 17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein one of the first and second portions of the extensible frame is tubular; the absorbing material bonded coaxially to the first said portion on an inside surface thereof, and to an outside surface of the second said portion, whereby, the first and second said portions are in contact only through the absorbing material. Claiml8. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the vibration attenuator is of an elastomeric blend of materials containing primarily polybutadiene.