Adjustable projector mount with quick release device interface

• US 7,497,412 B2
• Filed: 05/05/2006
• Issued: 03/03/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Legrand AV Inc. (Legrand SA)
• Original Assignee: Milestone AV Technologies LLC (Legrand SA)
• Inventors: Dittmer, Jay, Smith, Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): STERLING, AMY JO
• Application Number:
  US11/429,472
• Publication Number:
  US 20070257178A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,033 Days
• Field of Search: 248/317, 248/674, 248/917, 248/343, 248/329, 248/342, 248/222.11, 248/222.12, 248/514, 248/515, 248/516, 248/518, 343/888, 343/882, 343/878
• US Class Current: 248/514
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/12 in more than one direction
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/18 with mechanism for moving the apparatus relatively to the stand
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/22 with approximately constant height, e.g. with constant length of column or of legs F16M11/42 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 2200/024 by positive interaction, e.g. male-female connections
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 21/145 Housing details, e.g. position adjustments thereof

Abstract

A mount for attaching a projection device to an overhead structure includes a device interface operably attachable to the projection device with a plurality of fasteners. The device interface has a first portion and a second portion slidably disposed on the first portion. The first and second portions together define a plurality of retaining structures, each retaining structure for receiving a separate one of the plurality of fasteners. The second portion is selectively slidably shiftable relative to the first portion between a first latched position wherein each of the plurality of fasteners is received and retained in a separate one of the retaining structures and a second unlatched position wherein the plurality of fasteners is freely disengagable from the retaining structures.

Claims

1. A mount for attaching a projection device to an overhead structure, the mount comprising:

a device interface operably attachable to the projection device with a plurality of fasteners, the device interface comprising a first portion and a second portion coupled to the first portion and slidably disposed on the first portion, the first and second portions together defining a plurality of retaining structures, each retaining structure for receiving a separate one of the plurality of fasteners, the device interface further comprising a control, the second portion selectively slidably shiftable with the control relative to the first portion between a first latched position wherein each of the plurality of fasteners is received and retained in a separate one of the retaining structures and a second unlatched position wherein the plurality of fasteners are freely disengagable from the retaining structures of the first and second portions; and

a device orientation adjustment structure operably coupled with the device interface and adapted to provide adjustment of pitch, roll, and yaw of the projection device, the device orientation adjustment structure including at least one upright extending from the device interface and a support structure interface extending from the at least one upright and having a first portion operably coupled with the upright, the support structure interface adapted to be fixedly coupled with the overhead structure, the upright and the support structure interface having cooperating guide structures defining a first axis of rotation, wherein the device interface is selectively shiftable about the first axis of rotation.

2. The mount of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second portions of the device interface each comprise a plate structure.

3. The mount of claim 2, wherein each retaining structure of the plurality of retaining structures comprises a first notch in a periphery of the plate structure of the first portion and a second corresponding notch in a periphery of the plate structure of the second portion.

4. The mount of claim 1, wherein the control comprises a rotatable lever.

5. The mount of claim 4, wherein each of the first and second portions of the device interface comprise a plate structure, wherein the plate structure of the second portion defines an oblong aperture, and wherein the rotatable lever includes a cam portion disposed in the oblong aperture and operably coupled to the plate of the first portion.

6. The mount of claim 1, further comprising a lock mechanism operably coupled with the device interface, the lock mechanism selectively shiftable between a first unlocked position wherein the second portion of the device interface is freely shiftable relative to the first portion, and a second locked position wherein the lock mechanism inhibits shifting of the second portion from the latched to the unlatched position.

7. The mount of claim 6, wherein the lock mechanism includes a lock cylinder with structure for receiving a key, the lock structure rotatable with the key to shift the lock mechanism between the locked and unlocked positions.

8. The mount of claim 1, wherein the at least one upright is secured to the device interface with at least one fastener, and wherein the at least one fastener is inaccessible for removal when the projection device is attached to the device interface.

9. The mount of claim 1, wherein the support structure interface includes a second portion, the first and second portions of the support structure interface operably coupled so as to define a second axis of rotation generally transverse to the first axis of rotation, wherein the device interface is separately selectively shiftable about both the first and second axes of rotation when the support structure interface is fixedly coupled with the overhead structure.

10. The mount of claim 9, further comprising a retaining structure for retaining the first and second portions support structure interface in operable engagement, wherein the retaining structure secured with at least one fastener, and wherein the at least one fastener securing the retaining structure is inaccessible for removal when the projection device is attached to the device interface.

11. A mount for attaching a projection device to an overhead structure, the mount comprising:

a device interface operably attachable to the projection device with at least one fastener, the device interface comprising a first portion and a second portion having cooperating means for selectively engaging the at least one fastener to couple and uncouple the projection device, the first and second portions coupled to one another in slidable non-separable relation by at least one fastener member disposed between apertures and slots in the first and second portions, wherein the first and second portions of the device interface each comprise a plate structure, and wherein the means for selectively engaging the at least one fastener includes a first notch in a periphery of the plate structure of the first portion and a second corresponding notch in a periphery of the plate structure of the second portion, the plate structures selectively slidably shiftable relative to each other between a first latched position wherein the at least one fastener is engaged and retained in and the first second notches and an unlatched position in which the at least one fastener is freely removable from the first second notches; and

a device orientation adjustment structure operably coupled with the device interface and adapted to provide adjustment of pitch, roll, and yaw of the projection device, the device orientation adjustment structure including at least one upright extending from the device interface and a support structure interface extending from the at least one upright and having a first portion operably coupled with the upright, the support structure interface adapted to be fixedly coupled with the overhead structure, the at least one upright and the support structure interface having cooperating guide structures defining a first axis of rotation, wherein the device interface is selectively shiftable about the first axis of rotation.

12. The mount of claim 11, further comprising means for selectively shifting the plate structures relative to each other.

13. The mount of claim 12, wherein the means for selectively shifting the plate structures relative to each other comprises a rotatable lever.

14. The mount of claim 13, wherein the plate structure of the second portion defines an oblong aperture, and wherein the rotatable lever includes a cam portion disposed in the oblong aperture and operably coupled to the plate of the first portion.

15. The mount of claim 11, further comprising means for selectively inhibiting sliding of the plate structures.

16. The mount of claim 15, wherein the means for selectively inhibiting sliding of the plate structures comprises a lock mechanism.

17. The mount of claim 16, wherein the lock mechanism includes structure for receiving a key, and wherein the lock mechanism is actuated with the key.

18. The mount of claim 11, wherein the at least one upright is secured to the device interface with at least one fastener, and wherein the at least one fastener is inaccessible for removal when the projection device is attached to the device interface.

19. The mount of claim 11, wherein the support structure interface includes a second portion, the first and second portions of the support structure interface operably coupled so as to define a second axis of rotation generally transverse to the first axis of rotation, wherein the device interface is separately selectively shiftable about both the first and second axes of rotation when the support structure interface is fixedly coupled with the overhead structure.

20. The mount of claim 19, further comprising a retaining structure for retaining the first and second portions support structure interface in operable engagement, wherein the retaining structure secured with at least one fastener, and wherein the at least one fastener securing the retaining structure is inaccessible for removal when the projection device is attached to the device interface.