Overhead support system for TV monitors

• US 5,009,384 A
• Filed: 06/29/1990
• Issued: 04/23/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Inter-Link Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Inter-Link Communications, Inc.
• Inventors: MacDonald, Michael, Gerke, David B.
• Primary Examiner(s): FOSS, J
• Application Number:
  US07/545,602
• Time in Patent Office: 298 Days
• Field of Search: 248/317, 248/223.4, 248/224.1, 248/224.2, 248/225.1, 248/551, 248/553, 248/613, 248/323, 248/324, 248/342, 248/343, 248/917, 361/390, 361/417, 361/426, 361/427, 439/928, 439/533, 439/374
• US Class Current: 248/343
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0229 for displays, e.g. cathodic tubes
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0028 Ceiling, e.g. roof rails
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0052 using screws, bolts, rivets or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0078 Quick-disconnect two-parts mounting means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0085 with adjustment by rotation in their operational position
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/027 Ceiling supports
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/928 Modular electrically interengaging parts, e.g. stove with replaceable heating elements formed on coupling parts

Abstract

An overhead support system for TV monitors comprising a shoe releasably and slidably insertable into seated position into a pocket in an upper portion of the monitor housing. The shoe carries electrical contacts to mateably engage with corresponding electrical contacts for the monitor when in seated position. Conductor cables are embedded in the shoe and extend from the electrical contacts through a pipe, one end of which is secured to the shoe and the other end of which passes through shock absorbing material supported on an overhead support frame to threadably engage an anchor means supported on the shock absorbing material. This system securely supports such monitors in overhead locations such as on buses.

Claims

1. An overhead support system for TV monitors for use on buses and the like comprising:

(a) a shoe carrying cable means for the TV monitor, the cable means electrically associated with an electrical contact means exposed on an outer surface of the shoe, the shoe having sides provided with guide and support means positioned to mateably slide in cooperating guide and support means in the upper part of a TV monitor housing, into seated position with the shoe electrical contact means electrically engaging corresponding electrical contact means on the TV monitor housing;

(b) support means in the form of a pipe secured at one end to and upwardly extending from the shoe, the shoe cable means extending through the pipe, the pipe to extend through an aperture in an overhead support frame;

(c) shock absorbing means to be supported on the overhead support frame and having an aperture through which the pipe is to extend; and

(d) anchor means to sit on the shock absorbing means and releasably engage the other end of the pipe to hold the shoe firmly in position on the overhead support frame.

2. A support system according to claim 1 wherein the shoe is further provided with a lock mechanism to cooperate with a lock mechanism on the TV monitor housing to releasably secure the shoe in seated position with respect to the TV monitor housing and prevent disengagement of the TV monitor from the shoe when the lock mechanism is in locked position.

3. A support system according to claim 1 wherein the contact means comprises a plate at a forward end of the shoe with a plurality of exposed electrical connectors appropriately electrically associated with conductors in the cable means.

4. A support system according to claim 3 wherein the guide and support means comprise a pair of parallel spaced linear brackets outwardly extending along opposite sides of the shoe to be received in spaced facing grooves in a shoe-receiving pocket in the top of the TV monitor housing.

5. A shoe according to claim 4 wherein the shoe has a housing made of sturdy moulded polymeric material in which the plate, brackets, cable means and pipe end have been embedded.

6. A support system according to claim 1 wherein said other end of the pipe is externally threaded and the anchor means comprises a lock nut to threadably engage the threaded end of the pipe.

7. A support system according to claim 6 wherein a flange with a circular threaded aperture is seated on the shock mount and secured to the overhead support frame when the system is in position, the threaded end of the pipe threadably engaging the flange aperture and the lock nut.

8. A TV monitor in combination with the overhead support system of claim 1, the TV monitor having a housing with a pocket in its upper portion to releasably receive the shoe in seated position, the pocket having guide and support means to cooperate with those of the shoe and an end with electrical contact means to electrically engage the electrical contact means on the shoe when the shoe is in seated position in the pocket.

9. A TV monitor in combination with the overhead support system of claim 4, the TV monitor having a housing with a pocket in its top, the pocket having spaced facing grooves to slidably and releasably receive the brackets of the shoe to guide the shoe into seated position and support the TV monitor thereon, the pocket further provided with an end with electrical contact means to electrically engage the electrical contact means on the shoe.

10. A TV monitor in combination with the overhead support system of claim 9, TV monitor housing being provided with a lock mechanism to cooperate with the shoe to releasably secure the shoe in seated position with respect to the TV monitor housing and prevent disengagement of the TV monitor from the shoe when the lock mechanism is in locked position.

11. A TV monitor in combination with an overhead support system according to claim 8 wherein the TV monitor has a lower, front portion of its housing made from resilient, rubber-like material.