Adjustable, self-balancing flat panel display mounting system

• US 20050133678A1
• Filed: 02/17/2005
• Published: 06/23/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Legrand AV Inc. (Legrand SA)
• Original Assignee: Chief Manufacturing Incorporated (Legrand SA)
• Inventors: Dittmer, Jay
• Granted Patent: US 7,395,996 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 248/274.100
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/10 around a horizontal axis F16M11/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/2092 comprising means allowing depth adjustment, i.e. forward-backward translation of the head relatively to the undercarriage
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/38 by folding , e.g. pivoting or scissors tong mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/02 for supporting on, or attaching to, an object, e.g. tree, gate, window-frame, cycle
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/041 for balancing rotational movement of the head
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/061 Scissors arms
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/923 Tilting

Abstract

A self-balanced adjustable mounting system for a flat panel display. When a flat panel display is attached to the mounting system, the display is adapted to revolve about a substantially horizontal axis extending proximate a center of gravity of the display. The system may be self-balancing at a plurality of locations about the axis.

Claims

1. An electronic display system mountable on a fixed structure comprising:

a flat panel electronic display device having a center of gravity;

a display interface defining at least one curved guide structure having a substantially constant radius of curvature with a center, the display interface operably coupled to the flat panel electronic display device so that the center of the radius of curvature is disposed within the flat panel electronic display device proximate the center of gravity;

a support structure operably coupled with the display interface and comprising a follower engaged with the first curved guide structure so that the flat panel electronic display device is generally selectively rotatably positionable about an axis extending through the center, the support structure adapted to attach to the fixed structure so that the flat panel electronic display device is cantilevered from the fixed structure.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one curved guide structure is a slot, and wherein the follower is a pin that is slidable in the slot.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one curved guide structure is a slot, and wherein the follower is a pin that is rollable in the slot.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the display interface includes a pair of curved guide structures.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising means for frictionally resisting rotational movement of the display interface relative to the support structure.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the means for frictionally resisting rotational movement of the display interface relative to the support structure comprises a friction slot in the display interface with at least one friction member operably coupled to the support structure and engaged in the friction slot.

7. The system of claim 5, further comprising means for adjusting the amount of frictional resistance provided by the means for frictionally resisting rotational movement of the display interface relative to the support structure.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the support structure comprises an elongate arm having a pair of opposing ends, one of the ends of the arm adapted to attach to the fixed structure and the other end of the arm coupled with the display interface.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the fixed structure is a wall of a structure.

10. An electronic display system mountable on a fixed structure comprising:

a flat panel electronic display device having a center of gravity;

a display interface having guide means defining a substantially constant radius of curvature with a center, the display interface operably coupled to the flat panel electronic display device so that the center of the radius of curvature is disposed within the flat panel electronic display device proximate the center of gravity;

a support structure operably coupled with the display interface and comprising means for following the guide means so that the flat panel electronic display device is generally selectively rotatably positionable about an axis extending through the center, the support structure adapted to attach to the fixed structure so that the flat panel electronic display device is cantilevered from the fixed structure.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the guide means comprises at least one curved guide structure.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the at least one curved guide structure comprises a curved slot and the means for following the guide means includes a pin engaged in the curved slot.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein the guide means includes a pair of curved guide structures.

14. The system of claim 10, further comprising means for frictionally resisting rotational movement of the display interface relative to the support structure.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the means for frictionally resisting rotational movement of the display interface relative to the support structure comprises a friction slot in the display interface with at least one friction member operably coupled to the support structure and engaged in the friction slot.

16. The system of claim 15, further comprising means for adjusting the amount of frictional resistance provided by the means for frictionally resisting rotational movement of the display interface relative to the support structure.

17. The system of claim 10, wherein the support structure comprises an elongate arm having a pair of opposing ends, one of the ends of the arm adapted to attach to the fixed structure and the other end of the arm coupled with the display interface.

18. An adjustable, self-balancing, mount for attaching a flat panel electronic display having a center of gravity to a fixed structure, the mount comprising a pair of operably coupled body portions including a first body portion adapted to receive the flat panel display and a second body portion adapted to attach to the fixed structure so that the first body portion is cantilevered therefrom, one of the pair of body portions having a guide structure and the other of the pair of body portions having a follower engaged with the guide structure so that when the flat panel electronic display is received on the first body portion and the second body portion is attached to the fixed structure, the flat panel electronic display is selectively revolvably positionable at least about a substantially horizontal axis along a path of travel defined by the guide structure, the path of travel being defined so that the center of gravity remains substantially stationary relative to the fixed structure as the flat panel electronic display is positioned along the path of travel.

19. The mount of claim 18, wherein the guide structure is a slot, and wherein the follower is a pin engaged in the slot.

20. The mount of claim 18, wherein the second body portion comprises a support structure.

21. The mount of claim 20, wherein the support structure comprises an elongate arm 22. The mount of claim 20, wherein the support structure comprises an articulating arm assembly.