| Universal mount for flat panel displays -> Monitor Keywords |
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Universal mount for flat panel displaysRelated Patent Categories: Supports, Brackets, AdjustableUniversal mount for flat panel displays description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060065800, Universal mount for flat panel displays. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/614,092 filed Sep. 29, 2004, and entitled UNIVERSAL MOUNT FOR FLAT PANEL DISPLAYS, hereby fully incorporated herein by reference. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The invention relates generally to mounts for flat panel displays, and more specifically to mounts for large flat panel displays such as plasma displays. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Flat panel displays have become an increasingly popular substitute for television tubes and computer CRT's (cathode ray tubes). Flat panel displays are typically mounted on a structure, such as a wall, and ideally the angle of the flat panel display relative to vertical can be adjusted for optimum viewing. Various positioning devices have been used, such as friction based hinges, mechanical linkages with springs or other biasing devices, and various mechanical latches. [0004] A type of flat panel display known as a "plasma" display has become especially popular for large screen display devices. While plasma displays offer a large screen size in a relatively compact package, they are relatively expensive. As a result, it is often advantageous to move a plasma display between multiple locations in order to maximize usage. [0005] Plasma displays are typically heavy and relatively delicate, and consequently, mounts for plasma displays must be capable of securely supporting the weight of the device. Numerous prior art mounting devices exist that are capable of supporting a plasma display. These previous mounting devices, however, due to the need to provide a secure attachment, typically have cumbersome latching and locking mechanisms which may be difficult to maneuver, particularly for a user attempting to mount a heavy plasma display alone. Hence, there is still a need in the industry for a secure mount for a flat panel display that is easily maneuverable by an individual user. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0006] The present invention meets the need of the industry for a secure mount for a flat panel display that is easily maneuverable by an individual user. According to an embodiment of the invention, a mount for removably attaching a flat panel electronic display device to a fixed structure includes a first bracket operably couplable to the flat panel electronic display device and a second bracket operably couplable to the fixed structure. The first bracket includes a pair of opposing hooks or other engaging structures. The second bracket has a body portion presenting a first edge for receiving one of the pair of opposing hooks and at least one latch portion operably coupled with the body portion. The latch portion presents a second edge for receiving the other of the pair of opposing hooks. The latch portion is selectively shiftable between a first position and a second position relative to the body portion, wherein when the first one of the pair of opposing hooks of the first bracket is engaged with the first edge of the second bracket, the second edge is engaged with the second one of the pair of opposing hooks to secure the first bracket and the second bracket together when the latch portion is positioned in the first position and the second edge is not engaged with the second one of the pair of opposing hooks to enable the first bracket and the second bracket to be separated when the latch portion is positioned in the second position. [0007] In an embodiment of the invention, at least one hook bracket having a pair of opposing hooks is affixed to either the plasma display or the structure upon which the plasma display is to be mounted. A corresponding interface bracket is affixed to the other of the plasma display and the structure. The interface bracket has a body portion with a first edge for receiving a first one of the opposing hooks of the hook bracket and at least one latch portion operably coupled with the first body portion. The latch portion has a second edge for receiving the second hook of the hook bracket. With the first edge engaged in the first hook of the hook bracket, the latch portion is selectively shiftable between a disengaged position, wherein the second edge is clear of the second hook, and an engaged position, wherein the second edge is engaged in the second hook to secure the plasma display in place on the structure. [0008] In one embodiment, a pair of hook brackets are spaced apart on the back surface of a plasma display with the opposing hooks oriented in a vertical direction. The interface bracket has a pair of latch portions operably coupled with the body portion. The interface bracket is mounted on the fixed structure so that the first edge is oriented generally upward. In operation, with both latch portions in the disengaged position, the top hooks of the spaced-apart hook brackets, are engaged over the first edge of the interface bracket. The latch portions are then shifted to the engaged position, thereby engaging the second edge of each in a separate one of the bottom hooks of the hook bracket, securing the display in place on the interface bracket and the fixed structure to which it is attached. Removal of the plasma display is the reverse of installation. [0009] In an embodiment of the invention, each of the latch portions of the interface bracket have a plurality of slots defined therein. Each slot may have a central portion positioned at an angle relative to the horizontal and extending upward and laterally outward. Further, each slot may have a generally horizontal portion at each end, with the inward horizontal portion being generally lower than the outward horizontal portion. The body portion has a plurality of outwardly extending guide posts, and each guide post is slidably engaged in a separate one of the slots in the latch portions. The guide posts may have a enlarged retaining head on the outward end. The latch portions are selectively laterally slidable to shift between the engaged and disengaged positions. In the disengaged position, the guide posts are positioned in the inward, relatively lower, horizontal portion of the slots. As the latch portion is urged laterally inward toward the center of the body portion and the guide posts encounter the angled portion of the slots, the latch portions move downwardly as the guide posts slide in the angled slot portions, and the edges of the latch portions engage in the upwardly directed hooks of the hook brackets. When the guide posts encounter the outward, relatively higher, portions of the guide slots, the latch portions may be moved further laterally inward to the end of the slots to inhibit easy disengagement of the edges of the latch portions from the hooks. Again, removal is the reverse of installation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view from the back side of an interface bracket of a mount according to the present invention; [0011] FIG. 1A is a front elevation view of the interface bracket of FIG. 1; [0012] FIG. 1B is a side elevation view of the interface bracket of FIG. 1; [0013] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a mount according to the present invention; [0014] FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of another embodiment of a mount according to the present invention; [0015] FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of an interface channel according to the invention; [0016] FIG. 5 is a front elevation view of the interface channel of FIG. 4; [0017] FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the interface channel of FIG. 4; [0018] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a hook plate and tilt plate assembly according to an embodiment of the invention; [0019] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a hook plate according to the invention; Continue reading about Universal mount for flat panel displays... 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