Self-balancing adjustable flat panel mounting system

• US 7,028,961 B1
• Filed: 05/30/2003
• Issued: 04/18/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/30/2003
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Legrand AV Inc. (Legrand SA)
• Original Assignee: CSAV Incorporated (Legrand SA)
• Inventors: Dittmer, Jay, Derks, Derek L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chan, Korie
• Application Number:
  US10/449,834
• Time in Patent Office: 1,054 Days
• Field of Search: 248/278.1, 248/282.1, 248/349.1, 248/921, 248/923, 248/288.31, 248/917, 248/919, 248/922, 248/276.1, 403/22, 361/681, 439/162
• US Class Current: 248/278.1
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/04 Means for attachment of apparatus; Means allowing adjustment of the apparatus relatively to the stand
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/041 Allowing quick release of the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/08 around a vertical axis , e.g. panoramic heads F16M11/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/12 in more than one direction
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/14 with ball-joint ball-jointed hinges F16C11/06 ; adjustable mountings employing universal joints for lighting devices F21V21/26 - F21V21/30
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/2014 around a vertical axis F16M11/2035 takes precedence
• 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 2200/068 being part of the undercarriage
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/921 Plural angular

Abstract

A self-balanced adjustable mounting system for a flat panel display. A display interface having a hollow, semi-spherical shell portion is attached to the flat panel display. The semi-spherical shell is formed with a generally constant radius of curvature. The center of the radius of curvature is disposed proximate the center of gravity of the flat panel display with the display interface attached. The display interface is received in a guide structure that has a bearing portion engaging the outer surface of the semi-spherical shell, and a second bearing portion engaging the inner surface of the semi-spherical shell through an aperture formed in the semi-spherical shell. The semi-spherical shell is guided between the first and second bearing portions so that the flat panel display and device interface are generally rotatable about the center of the radius of curvature of the semi-spherical shell. The display is self balancing in virtually any position in the range of travel of the device due to the location of the center of rotation proximate the center of gravity.

Claims

1. A self-balancing adjustable flat panel electronic display system adapted for mounting on a non-horizontal fixed structure, the system comprising:

a support structure adapted to attach to the fixed structure;

a flat panel electronic display device;

a device interface portion for receiving the flat panel electronic display device thereon, said flat panel display device and said device interface portion together having a center of gravity, said device interface portion including a frusto-spherical portion having an outer surface with a generally constant radius of curvature and a flange portion extending radially outwardly from the frusto-spherical portion, the flange portion having structure defining at least one aperture for receiving a fastener to couple the device interface portion with the flat panel electronic display device, the frusto-spherical portion having structure defining an aperture and presenting an aperture periphery, the said radius of curvature defining a center proximate said center of gravity, the weight of the flat panel electronic display device and the device interface portion acting through the center of gravity exerting a moment force on the support structure; and

a guide structure operably coupling said device interface portion and the support structure, said guide structure having a first bearing portion engaging and guiding the outer surface of said frusto-spherical portion and a retaining portion for retaining said device interface portion in engagement with said first bearing portion, said guide structure including a portion extending through the aperture in the device interface portion, the portion of the guide structure extending through the aperture in the frusto-spherical portion having an outer surface spaced apart from the aperture periphery in all radial directions when the device interface portion is positioned so that the portion of the guide structure extending through the aperture in the frusto-spherical portion is at the center of the aperture in the frusto-spherical portion, wherein the flat panel electronic display device and device interface portion are selectively rotatably positionable about the center of the radius of curvature of said frusto-spherical portion in all rotational directions with substantially equal effort.

2. The display system of claim 1, wherein said first bearing portion slidably engages said outer surface of said frusto-spherical portion.

3. The display system of claim 2, wherein said first bearing portion is formed from ultra high molecular weight polyethylene.

4. The display system of claim 1, wherein said first bearing portion rollingly engages said outer surface of said frusto-spherical portion.

5. The display system of claim 1, wherein said frusto-spherical portion comprises a hollow shell having an inner surface, said guide structure further comprising a second bearing portion engaging and guiding said inner surface.

6. The display system of claim 5, wherein said second bearing portion slidably engages said inner surface of said frusto-spherical portion.

7. The display system of claim 6, wherein said second bearing portion is formed from ultra high molecular weight polyethylene.

8. The display system of claim 5, wherein said second bearing portion rollingly engages said inner surface of said frusto-spherical portion.

9. The combination of a flat panel electronic display device and a self-balancing adjustable mounting system adapted to receive the flat panel electronic display device thereon such that, when the flat panel display device is attached to the mounting system a center of gravity is established, the mounting system comprising:

a support structure adapted to attach to a non-horizontal fixed structure;

a device interface including a frusto-spherical portion having a generally constant radius of curvature with a center and a flange portion extending radially outwardly from the frusto-spherical portion for receiving the flat panel electronic display device thereon, the flange portion having structure defining at least one aperture for receiving a fastener to couple the device interface portion with the flat panel electronic display device, the device interface adapted to receive the flat panel display device so that a common center of gravity for the flat panel display device and the device interface is established, so that the weight of the electronic display device and the device interface acting through the common center of gravity exerts a moment force on the support structure, and so that the center of the radius of curvature of the frusto-spherical portion is positioned proximate the common center of gravity, the frusto-spherical portion having structure defining an aperture and presenting an aperture periphery;

guide means for slidably engaging and guiding said frusto-spherical portion of said device interface, the guide means including structure extending through the aperture in the frusto-spherical portion, the structure extending through the aperture in the frusto-spherical portion having an outer surface spaced apart from the aperture periphery in all radial directions when the device interface is positioned so that the structure extending through the aperture in the frusto-spherical portion is at the center of the aperture in the frusto-spherical portion, said means enabling the flat panel display and device interface to be selectively rotatably positionable about the center of said radius of curvature in all rotational directions with substantially equal effort when the flat panel electronic display device is attached to the device interface;

means for retaining said device interface in contact with said guide means; and

means for operably coupling said guide means with said support structure.

10. The flat panel display and mounting system of claim 9, wherein said frusto-spherical portion has an outer surface and wherein said guide means includes a guide portion with at least one bearing portion positioned to engage and guide the outer surface.

11. The flat panel display and mounting system of claim 10, wherein said bearing portion slidably engages the outer surface of said frusto-spherical portion.

12. The flat panel display and mounting system of claim 11, wherein said bearing portion is formed from ultra high molecular weight polyethylene.

13. The flat panel display and mounting system of claim 10, wherein said bearing portion rollingly engages the outer surface of said frusto-spherical portion.

14. The flat panel display and mounting system of claim 10, wherein said frusto-spherical portion comprises a hollow shell having an inner surface, said guide portion further comprising a second bearing portion engaging and guiding said inner surface.

15. The flat panel display and mounting system of claim 14, wherein said second bearing portion slidably engages the inner surface of said frusto-spherical portion.

16. The flat panel display and mounting system of claim 15, wherein said second bearing portion is formed from ultra high molecular weight polyethylene.

17. The flat panel display and mounting system of claim 14, wherein said second bearing portion rollingly engages the inner surface of said frusto-spherical portion.

18. The combination of a flat panel electronic display device and a self-balancing adjustable mounting system, the flat panel electronic display device having a front side presenting an electronic display and an opposing back side, the system adapted to receive and support the flat panel electronic display device so that the front side of the flat panel electronic display device is positioned in a generally vertical orientation, the mounting system comprising:

a support structure adapted to attach to a non-horizontal fixed structure;

a device interface having a frusto-spherical shell portion and a flange portion extending radially outwardly therefrom, the flange portion having structure defining at least one aperture for receiving a fastener to attach the device interface to the back side of the flat panel electronic display device so that the frusto-spherical shell portion projects outward from the back side of the flat panel electronic display device and so that the device interface and the flat panel electronic display device together establish a center of gravity, said frusto-spherical shell portion having a generally constant radius of curvature, said radius of curvature having a center proximate the center of gravity, said shell portion further having an inner surface, an outer surface, and an aperture formed therethrough presenting an aperture periphery; and

a guide structure operably coupled to the support structure, said guide structure including at least one outer guide portion engaging the outer surface of the shell portion, and at least one inner guide portion engaging the inner surface of the shell portion, said inner and outer guide portions being connected by an intermediate portion extending through said aperture in the frusto-spherical shell portion, the intermediate portion presenting an outer surface, the outer surface of the intermediate portion spaced apart from the aperture periphery in all radial directions when the intermediate structure is positioned at the center of the aperture in the frusto-spherical shell portion, wherein when the flat panel electronic display device is attached to the device interface, the device interface and the flat panel electronic display device are selectively rotatably positionable about the center of the radius of curvature of the shell portion in all rotational directions with substantially equal effort.

19. The flat panel display and mounting system of claim 18, wherein said wherein said outer guide portion has a first bearing surface in slidable engagement with said outer surface of said frusto-spherical portion.

20. The flat panel display and mounting system of claim 19, wherein said first bearing surface is formed from ultra high molecular weight polyethylene.

21. The mounting system of claim 18, wherein said outer guide portion has a ball portion in rolling engagement with said outer surface of said frusto-spherical portion.

22. The flat panel display and mounting system of claim 18, wherein said second bearing portion slidably engages said inner surface of said frusto-spherical portion.

23. The flat panel display and mounting system of claim 22, wherein said second bearing portion is formed from ultra high molecular weight polyethylene.

24. The flat panel display and mounting system of claim 18, wherein said second bearing portion has a ball portion in rolling engagement with said inner surface of said frusto-spherical portion.

25. The combination of a flat panel electronic display device and a mounting system for adjustably mounting the flat panel electronic display device on a non-horizontal surface of a fixed structure, the system comprising:

a support structure adapted to attach to the non-horizontal surface of the fixed structure;

a guide portion operably coupled with the support structure; and

a device interface operably coupled with the guide portion, the device interface having a frusto-spherical shell portion with a radius of curvature having a center and a flange portion extending radially outwardly from the frusto-spherical shell portion for receiving the flat panel electronic display device thereon, the flange portion having structure defining at least one aperture for receiving a fastener to couple the device interface with the flat panel electronic display device, the frusto-spherical shell portion being coupled with the guide portion so that the device interface is rotatably positionable about the center of the radius of curvature of the frusto-spherical shell portion, the device interface adapted to be coupled with the flat panel electronic display device so that a common center of gravity for the flat panel electronic display device and the device interface is established, so that the weight of the flat panel electronic display device and the device interface acting through the common center of gravity exerts a moment force on the support structure, and so that the center of the radius of curvature of the frusto-spherical shell portion is positioned proximate the common center of gravity, wherein the flat panel electronic display device is selectively rotatably tiltably positionable about the center of the radius of curvature of the frusto-spherical shell portion in all rotational directions with substantially equal effort.

26. A self-balancing adjustable flat panel electronic display system adapted for mounting on a non-horizontal fixed structure, the system comprising:

a support structure adapted to attach to the fixed structure;

a flat panel electronic display device;

a device interface portion for receiving the flat panel electronic display device thereon, said flat panel display device having a center of gravity, said device interface portion including a frusto-spherical portion having an outer surface with a generally constant radius of curvature and a flange portion extending radially outwardly from the frusto-spherical portion, the flange portion having structure defining at least one aperture for receiving a fastener to couple the device interface portion with the flat panel electronic display device, the radius of curvature of the frusto-spherical portion defining a center proximate the center of gravity of the flat panel display device; and

a guide structure operably coupling said device interface portion and the support structure, said guide structure having a first bearing portion engaging and guiding the outer surface of said frusto-spherical portion and a retaining portion for retaining said device interface portion in engagement with said first bearing portion, wherein the flat panel electronic display device is selectively rotatably positionable in roll, pitch, and yaw, about the center of the radius of curvature of the frusto-spherical portion with substantially equal effort.