Quick interconnection system for electronic devices

• US 6,935,883 B2
• Filed: 04/17/2003
• Issued: 08/30/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/24/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Innovative Office Products, Inc. (IOP Holdings LLC)
• Original Assignee: Innovative Office Products, Inc. (IOP Holdings LLC)
• Inventors: Oddsen, Odd N. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): PAUMEN, GARY F
• Application Number:
  US10/417,711
• Publication Number:
  US 20040014349A1
• Time in Patent Office: 866 Days
• Field of Search: 439/374, 439/929, 439/534, 248917-924, 248/274.1, 248/118.3
• US Class Current: 439/374
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/625 Casing or ring with bayonet engagement
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 33/94 Holders formed as intermediate parts for linking a counter-part to a coupling part
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/92 Angular and linear video display screen support adjustment
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/929 Connecting base plate or shelf type holder

Abstract

A connector system for an electronic device having a plurality of connectors includes a mounting bracket adapted to be attached to the electronic device. The mounting bracket includes a plurality of pins extending outwardly therefrom. A plate is provided with a plurality of openings adapted to receive a corresponding one of the pins for releasably securing the mounting bracket to the plate. A connector block is coupled to the plate, the connector block including a plurality of openings each adapted to secure a connector therein. The connectors within the connector block simultaneously coupling with the connectors of the electronic device when the mounting bracket is secured to the plate.

Claims

1. An interconnection system for an electronic device having a first connector, said system comprising a mounting bracket adapted to be attached to an electronic device, a connector plate including first and second spaced apart legs, a connector block attached to one of said legs, a second connector attached to said connector block, and an attachment device in operative association with said mounting bracket and said plate, said first and second connectors connecting with each other when said mounting bracket and said plate are attached to one another by said attachment device.

2. The interconnection system of claim 1, further including a support arm coupled to said plate.

3. The interconnection system of claim 2, further including a tilter assembly attaching said support arm to said plate.

4. The interconnection system of claim 1, wherein said connector block includes a plurality of openings, each of said openings adapted for securing one of a plurality of second connectors therein.

5. An interconnection system for an electronic device having a plurality of first connectors, said system comprising a mounting bracket adapted to be attached to the electronic device, said mounting bracket having a plurality of pins extending therefrom;

a plate having a plurality of openings adapted to receive a corresponding one of said pins for releasably securing said mounting bracket to said plate;

a connector block coupled to said plate, said connector block including a plurality of openings each adapted to secure a second connector therein, said connector block coupling said second connectors with said first connectors when said mounting bracket is secured to the plate.

6. The interconnection system of claim 5, wherein said openings comprise at least one keyhole shaped opening and two U-shaped openings.

7. The interconnection system of claim 6, wherein said openings are arranged in a triangle.

8. The interconnection system of claim 6, wherein each of said pins include an enlarged head adapted to be captured within one of said openings.

9. The interconnection system of claim 5, wherein said plate comprises first and second parallel spaced apart legs, said first leg being shorter than said second leg.

10. The interconnection system of claim 9, wherein said connector block is attached to said short leg.

11. The interconnection system of claim 5, further including a plurality of second connectors attached to said connector block.

12. The interconnection system of claim 5, further including a flat screen display attached to said mounting bracket.

13. The interconnection system of claim 5, wherein said mounting bracket comprises a U-shaped bracket.

14. The interconnection system of claim 5, wherein said plate and said connector block are integrally formed.

15. The interconnection system of claim 5, wherein said plate comprises a first member and a second member attached transversely thereto, said second member forming said connector block.

16. An interconnection system for a flat screen display having a plurality of first connectors, said system comprising a mounting bracket adapted to be attached to the display, said mounting bracket including a plurality of pins having enlarged ends extending outwardly therefrom;

a plate having a pair of spaced apart openings and a key hole shaped opening, said openings alignable with a corresponding one of said pins for receiving said pins therein whereby said mounting bracket is releasably attached to said plate;

a connector block coupled to said plate, said connector block having a plurality of openings each adapted to secure a second connector therein matable with one of said first connectors, said second connectors simultaneously connecting with a corresponding one of said first connectors when said mounting bracket is secured to said plate; and

a locking device releasably locking said mounting bracket to said plate.

17. The interconnection system of claim 16, further including a plurality of second connectors attached to said connector block.

18. The interconnection system of claim 16, further including a flat screen display attached to said mounting bracket.

19. The interconnection system of claim 16, wherein said mounting bracket comprises a U-shaped bracket.

20. The interconnection system of claim 16, wherein said openings are arranged in a triangle.

21. The interconnection system of claim 16, wherein said plate comprises first and second spaced apart legs;

said connector block attached to one of said legs.

22. The interconnection system of claim 16, wherein said plate and said connector block are integrally formed.

23. The interconnection system of claim 22, further including a plurality of second connectors attached to said connector block.

24. The interconnection system of claim 16, further including a support arm coupled to said plate.

25. The interconnection system of claim 16, wherein said locking device releasably engages a hole within said mounting bracket.

26. A method for mounting an electronic device while simultaneously mating at least a pair of connectors, said method comprising attaching a mounting bracket to an electronic device having at least one first connector, attaching at least one second connector to a connector plate, attaching said connector plate to said mounting bracket while simultaneously mating said first and second connectors together, and providing a plurality of pins extending from said mounting bracket and a corresponding plurality of openings in said connector plate, each of said openings receiving a corresponding one of said pins for releasably attaching said mounting bracket to said connector plate.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein said electronic device includes a plurality of first connectors and said connector plate includes a corresponding plurality of second connectors, said first and second connectors simultaneously mating upon attachment of said mounting bracket to said connector plate.

28. The method of claim 26, wherein said electronic device comprises a flat screen display.

29. The method of claim 26, further including coupling said connector plate to a support arm.

30. The method of claim 29, further including attaching a tilter assembly between said connector plate and said support arm.

31. The method of claim 26, further including attaching a connector block to said connector plate, and attaching a plurality of second connectors to said connector block.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein said connector block and said connector plate are an integral assembly.

33. The method of claim 26, further including arranging said openings and said pins in a common triangular arrangement.

34. The method of claim 26, wherein said attaching said connector plate to said mounting bracket comprises moving said mounting bracket downwardly relative to said connector plate.

35. A method for coupling an electronic device having a plurality of first connectors with a corresponding plurality of second connectors, said method comprising mounting a mounting bracket to an electronic device having a plurality of first connectors, attaching a plurality of second connectors to a connector plate, displacing said mounting bracket relative to said connector plate, attaching said mounting bracket to said connector plate while simultaneously mating said plurality of first and second connectors together, and providing a plurality of pins extending from said mounting bracket and a corresponding plurality of openings in said connector plate, each of said openings receiving a corresponding one of said pins for releasably attaching said mounting bracket to said connector plate.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein said electronic device comprises a flat screen display.

37. The method of claim 35, further including coupling said connector plate to a support arm.

38. The method of claim 37, further including attaching a tilter assembly between said connector plate and said support arm.

39. The method of claim 35, further including arranging said openings and said pins in a triangular arrangement.

40. The method of claim 35, wherein said connector block and said connector plate are an integral assembly.

41. The method of claim 35, said mounting bracket is moved downwardly relative to said connector plate.

42. An interconnection system for an electronic device having a first connector, said system comprising a mounting bracket adapted to be attached to an electronic device, a connector plate including a first plate and a second plate transversely attached thereto, a second connector coupled to said plate, and an attachment device in operative association with said mounting bracket and said plate, said first and second connectors connecting with each other when said mounting bracket and said plate are attached to one another by said attachment device.

43. The interconnection system of claim 42, wherein said second connector is attached to said second plate.

44. An interconnection system for an electronic device having a first connector, said system comprising a mounting bracket adapted to be attached to an electronic device, a connector plate, a connector block attached to said connector plate, a plurality of second connectors attached to said connector block, and an attachment device in operative association with said mounting bracket and said plate, said first and second connectors connecting with each other when said mounting bracket and said plate are attached to one another by said attachment device.

45. An interconnection system for an electronic device having a first connector, said system comprising a mounting bracket adapted to be attached to an electronic device, a connector plate, a second connector coupled to said plate, and an attachment device in operative association with said mounting bracket and said plate, said first and second connectors connecting with each other when said mounting bracket and said plate are attached to one another by said attachment device, said attachment device including a plurality of pins extending from said mounting bracket and a corresponding a plurality of openings in said connector plate, each of said openings adapted for receiving a corresponding one of said pins for releasably attaching said mounting bracket to said connector plate.