System and method for mounting of audio-visual components

• US 20050185801A1
• Filed: 02/24/2004
• Published: 08/25/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: KSC Industries Inc.
• Original Assignee: KSC Industries Inc.
• Inventors: McCarty, William A., King, Jeff W.
• Granted Patent: US 8,270,651 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 381/87
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/64 Constructional details of receivers, e.g. cabinets or dust covers furniture aspects of television cabinets A47B81/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/642 Disposition of sound reproducers
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2499/15 Transducers incorporated in visual displaying devices, e.g. televisions, computer displays, laptops
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 5/02 Spatial or constructional arrangements of loudspeakers

Abstract

A system and method for mounting modular audio-visual components on a surface such as a wall. In particular, a modular mounting bar may comprise at least one audio-visual module which may be affixed to a rail configured to be attached to a wall at a plurality of locations along the rail and configured to receive a module at a plurality of locations along the rail. A cover or grille may be configured to be attached in front of the modules.

Claims

1. A modular mounting bar for securing components to a surface, comprising:

a plurality of audio-visual modules;

a rail configured to be attached to the surface at one of a plurality of locations along the rail and configured to receive a module at one of a plurality of locations along the rail; and

a cover configured to be secured in front of at least a portion of one of the modules.

2. A modular mounting system for audio-visual components, comprising:

at least one audio-visual module; and

a rail wherein the rail is configured to be attached to a surface, and wherein the rail is configured to receive the module.

3. The modular mounting system of claim 2, further comprising:

a cover that is configured to be securely positioned in front of the module.

4. The modular mounting system of claim 3, wherein the cover is configured to be secured to the at least one module.

5. The modular mounting system of claim 3, wherein the cover comprises a grille.

6. The modular mounting system of claim 2, wherein the rail comprises a plurality of openings configured to receive a fastener.

7. The modular mounting system of claim 2, wherein the rail comprises:

a base configured to define a mating relationship with the at least one module;

a pair of flanges that defines a groove running along the lengthwise edge of the base.

8. The modular mounting system of claim 7, wherein the pair of flanges each extend approximately perpendicularly from each end of the base and along opposing longitudinal edges of the base, each flange having a portion comprising an inwardly extending lip

9. The modular mounting system of claim 2, wherein the at least one audio-visual module comprises a loudspeaker.

10. The modular mounting system of claim 2, wherein the at least one audio-visual module comprises a DVD player.

11. The modular mounting system of claim 2, wherein the at least one audio-visual module comprises an amplifier.

12. The modular mounting system of claim 2, wherein the at least one audio-visual module comprises a television tuner.

13. The modular mounting system of claim 2, wherein the at least one audio-visual module comprises an audio-visual controller.

14. The modular mounting system of claim 2, wherein the at least one audio-visual module comprises a wireless transmitter.

15. The modular mounting system of claim 2, wherein the at least one audio-visual module comprises a wireless receiver.

16. The modular mounting system of claim 2, wherein the at least one audio-visual module comprises a compact disc player.

17. The modular mounting system of claim 2, wherein the at least one audio-visual module comprises a digital video recorder.

18. The modular mounting system of claim 2, wherein the at least one audio-visual module comprises an MP3 player.

19. The modular mounting system of claim 2, wherein the at least one audio-visual module comprises a central processing unit (CPU).

20. The modular mounting system of claim 2, wherein the at least one audio-visual module comprises a media center.

21. The modular mounting system of claim 2, wherein the at least one audio-visual module comprises an audio-visual signal distribution system.

22. A method of mounting audio-visual components to a surface, comprising:

securing a rail having portions thereof that define a channel to the surface; and

securing at least one audio-visual component having attachment surfaces that matingly connect with the channel to the rail, so as to fix the component in a desired location on the rail.

23. The method of claim 22, further comprising:

securing a cover to the component so as to secure the cover in a desired location on the component.

24. A method of mounting audio-visual components to a surface, comprising:

securing a rail to the surface; and

connecting an audio-visual component to the rail.

25. The method of claim 24, further comprising connecting at least one additional audio-visual component to the rail.

26. An assembly for mounting audio-visual components for use with a wall-mounted display, the assembly comprising:

at least two audio-visual modules comprising loudspeakers;

a rail wherein the rail is configured to be attached to a surface, and wherein the rail is configured to receive the module; and

a cover having a dimension approximately equal to a length of the display and defining a mating relationship with the at least two modules;

27. The assembly of claim 26, wherein the cover is configured to be coupled to the modules.

28. The assembly of claim 26, wherein the cover is configured to be coupled to the rail.

29. The assembly of claim 26, wherein the cover comprises a grille.

30. The assembly of claim 26, further comprising a third module comprising a loudspeaker.

31. The assembly of claim 26, further comprising a module comprising an amplifier.

32. The assembly of claim 26, further comprising a module comprising one end of a wireless link.

33. A modular mounting bar for securing components in proximity to a display having a width, comprising:

a rail having mounting locations for audio-visual components; and

means for connecting an audio-visual component to multiple locations on the rail so that component locations match the width of the display.

34. The module mounting bar of claim 33, further comprising means for connecting at least one additional audio-visual component to the rail.

35. A modular mounting bar for securing components in proximity to a display having a width, comprising:

at least one module audio-visual-module;

a railing having a length no greater than the display width and having several mounting holes at each of a plurality of module mounting locations to match module mounting to display width; and

a cover having a length substantially the same as the display width.

36. The modular mounting bar of claim 35, wherein the at least one audio-visual module comprises a loudspeaker.

37. The modular mounting bar of claim 35, wherein the at least one audio-visual module comprises a DVD player.

38. The modular mounting bar of claim 35, wherein the at least one audio-visual module comprises an amplifier.

39. The modular mounting bar of claim 35, wherein the at least one audio-visual module comprises a television tuner.

40. The modular mounting bar of claim 35, wherein the at least one audio-visual module comprises an audio-visual controller.

41. The modular mounting bar of claim 35, wherein the at least one audio-visual module comprises a wireless transmitter.

42. The modular mounting bar of claim 35, wherein the at least one audio-visual module comprises a wireless receiver.

43. The modular mounting bar of claim 35, wherein the at least one audio-visual module comprises a compact disc player.

44. The modular mounting bar of claim 35, wherein the at least one audio-visual module comprises a digital video recorder.

45. The modular mounting bar of claim 35, wherein the at least one audio-visual module comprises an MP3 player.

46. The modular mounting bar of claim 35, wherein the at least one audio-visual module comprises a central processing unit (CPU).

47. The modular mounting bar of claim 35, wherein the at least one audio-visual module comprises a media center.

48. The modular mounting bar of claim 35, wherein the at least one audio-visual module comprises an audio-visual signal distribution system.