Display mounting system and method

• US 7,690,611 B2
• Filed: 10/19/2005
• Issued: 04/06/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ergotron Incorporated (Melrose Industries Plc)
• Original Assignee: Ergotron Incorporated (Melrose Industries Plc)
• Inventors: Alzebdeh, Khalid, Lindblad, Shaun C., Fluhrer, Robert W., Asamarai, Saeb
• Primary Examiner(s): King; Anita M
• Application Number:
  US11/254,225
• Publication Number:
  US 20060226326A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,630 Days
• Field of Search: 248/284.1, 248/274, 248/1, 248/917, 248/919, 248/921, 248/922, 248/923, 248/225.11, 248/225.21, 361/681, 361/679.22, 361/679.21
• US Class Current: 248/284.1
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/10 around a horizontal axis F16M11/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/027 Ceiling supports
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/022 by friction
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/917 Video display screen support
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/919 Adjustably orientable video screen support
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/921 Plural angular

Abstract

A mounting system includes a first surface and a second surface. A device panel can include at least first and second engaging members. The first and second surfaces are sized and shaped to engage the first and second engaging members respectively, and the first and second engaging members move along the first and second surfaces. The first and second surfaces are sized and shaped so the reaction forces between the first and second engaging members and the mounting panel cooperate to counteract the moment created by the center of gravity of the device panel to continuously immobilize the device panel at the plurality of angles relative to the support surface.

Claims

1. A mount for a display having a center of gravity, comprising:

a first engaging member;

a first surface having a geometry to engage the first engaging member;

a second engaging member; and

a second surface having a geometry to engage the second engaging member, the geometries of the first and second surfaces cooperating with the first and second engaging members to create reaction forces having directional components that cooperatively counteract the weight of the display such that the display can be continuously immobilized at any angle within a range of angles allowed by the mount to provide for tilt adjustment of the display, wherein tilt adjustment of the display causes a change to the position of the center of gravity of the display with respect to the mount.

2. The mount of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second surfaces are included in a slot.

3. The mount of claim 2, wherein the slot is substantially uninterrupted.

4. The mount of claim 1, wherein the display weighs less than about two-hundred pounds.

5. The mount of claim 1, wherein the display is positionable at least about five degrees backward and about twenty-five degrees forward relative to a vertical axis coincident with the mount.

6. The mount of claim 1, wherein the first and/or second surface is adapted to limit the travel of the first and/or second engaging members.

7. The mount of claim 1, wherein the mount is coupled to a support selected from the group consisting of a generally vertical surface, a wall mount, and a support arm.

8. The mount of claim 1, wherein the mount comprises a material selected from the group consisting of polymers, metals, composites, wood, and combinations thereof.

9. The mount of claim 1, further including a coating positioned to alter the friction between the first and/or second slots and the first and/or second engaging members.

10. The mount of claim 1, wherein the first surface is included within a first slot, and the second surface is included within a second slot.

11. The mount of claim 10, wherein the first slot is generally curved and the second slot is generally vertical and linear.

12. The mount of claim 10, wherein the first slot is generally curved and the second slot is generally linear and offset from a vertical position.

13. The mount of claim 10, wherein both the first and second slots are generally curved.

14. The mount of claim 10, wherein both the first and second slots are curved and are generally symmetrical about a horizontal axis.

15. The mount of claim 1, wherein the second surface is provided on a separate member.

16. The mount of claim 1, wherein the first surface is included within a slot and the second surface is not included within a slot.

17. The mount of claim 1, further including one or more retaining features to retain the mount on a support structure.

18. The mount of claim 1, wherein one or more of the engaging members comprise pins and rollers.

19. The mount of claim 1, wherein the mount is secured on a support by tightening a compression bolt.

20. The mount of claim 1, wherein the first and second surfaces are carried by the display.

21. The mount of claim 1, wherein the first surface is carried by an elongated member.

22. The mount of claim 21, wherein the elongated member is disposed within a cavity defined by the mount.

23. The mount of claim 21, wherein the first and second surfaces and first and second engaging members are disposed within the cavity.

24. The mount of claim 1, wherein the contour and/or angle of first surface may be adjusted by movement of an adjustment screw to move the first surface about a pivot point.

25. The mount of claim 1, wherein the first and second engaging members are functionally coupled to the display.

26. A mounting system comprising:

a mount including at least a first surface having a geometry and a second surface having a geometry, at least one of the first and second surfaces having an uninterrupted curved geometry;

a device panel including at least a first engaging member and a second engaging member, wherein the first and second engaging members are engagable with the geometries of the first and second surfaces respectively, to create reaction forces having directional components that cooperatively counteract the weight of a display coupled to the device panel such that the display can be continuously immobilized at any angle within a range of angled orientations relative to the mount, wherein tilt adjustment of the display causes a change to the position of a center of gravity of the display with respect to the mount.

27. A method comprising:

selectively positioning a device panel relative to a mount, wherein first and second engaging members are moveably coupled between the device panel and the mount, and the first and second engaging members are engaged with a first surface having a geometry and a second surface having a geometry, respectively, to create reaction forces having directional components that cooperatively counteract the weight of a display coupled to the device panel at any angle within a range of angles allowed by the mount; and

continuously immobilizing the display at any angle relative to the mount within the range of angles allowed by the mount, wherein tilt adjustment of the display causes a change to the position of a center of gravity of the display with respect to the mount.