Supports – Suspended supports
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-14
2001-11-20
King, Anita M. (Department: 3632)
Supports
Suspended supports
C248S316100, C248S917000, C248S924000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06318692
ABSTRACT:
FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to apparatus and devices for mounting objects. Particularly, the invention is directed towards such mounting apparatus when used in a residential, industrial or commercial application for the purpose of mounting objects such as television sets, computer monitors, speakers, cameras, VCRs and other types of electronic equipment. However, it is to be noted that the apparatus for mounting objects that forms the subject of this invention is not limited for use with the objects mentioned above.
In order to take advantage of limited space availability, special acoustic requirements, or design efficiency, it is useful to provide mounting systems to permit various objects to be placed in a convenient location. Thus, in conventional residential “media centers,” computer monitors and television sets are best placed in certain locations, while, for example, speakers may be placed apart, and connected to walls and ceilings for maximum acoustic effect and space-saving efficiency. The invention also addresses multiple speaker “home theater” residential and audio/visual systems.
The present invention provides an apparatus and system for mounting objects of various types, to permit optimal utilization of space availability, adjustability of the object's optimal viewing and/or listening angle, and otherwise achieve aesthetic and design effects which may be tailored to the user's needs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus for mounting an object, the apparatus comprising; an elongated framing member or frame side member having a body portion and a depending side wall extending down each side of the body portion; and at least one continuous pathway such as a slot in the framing member.
Preferably, the body portion is arcuate, and has an inner and outer surface, and the framing member has a pair of slots with each slot located near a depending side wall of the framing member.
Preferably, each slot is T-shaped, and comprises a narrower entry channel from the outer exterior surface of the body portion, and a wider base channel in communication with the entry channel. The T-shaped slot may be defined by the body portion, side wall and a slot wall, the slot wall extending between the body portion and the side wall.
The apparatus may further comprise a continuous flange running down the length of the framing member, the flange being substantially parallel to the body portion and defining a continuous groove between the flange and the body portion. The continuous groove may have a widened base portion, i.e., be essentially T-shaped in cross-section.
The apparatus may further comprise at least one connecting piece or member for connecting two framing members to each other in a desired orientation. The connecting piece conveniently comprises a first portion and a second portion, each of the first and second portions having a lateral tongue on each side thereof, the lateral tongue of the first portion being received in the continuous grooves of a first framing member, and the lateral tongue of the second portion being received in the continuous grooves of a second framing member. The first and second portions of the connecting piece may be located at an angle relative to each other so as to provide a predetermined angle between the first and second framing members. Preferably, the connecting piece is corrugated in cross-section so as to provide at least a continuous trough along its length adjacent to the lateral tongues.
The apparatus may further comprise an intermediate piece located between the framing member and the object, the intermediate piece having an inner and outer surface, wherein the inner surface incorporates a material of a high coefficient of friction. The intermediate piece may be a cornerpiece having first and second sections which are substantially at right angles to each other.
The apparatus may further comprise a corner cover, the corner cover being adapted to cover at least one of the connecting pieces and at least the ends of adjacent framing members held together by the connecting member. The corner cover may comprise a body section and depending side wall sections, the depending side wall section including a plurality of tab members for facilitating a snap-fit connection of the corner cover with one or more framing member.
Preferably, the apparatus further comprises at least one cable, the cable extending through the continuous slot of the framing members and the connecting pieces, the cable being tightened by a tensioning apparatus about a frame defined by framing members and connecting pieces and holding the framing member and connecting pieces firmly in place. Preferably, the tensioning apparatus includes compression springs that permit minor elongation of the cable (or more precisely expansion of the frame) when in the fixed position.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a mounting system for mounting an object, the system comprising: a plurality of elongated framing members or frame side members each having a body portion and depending side walls, with at least one continuous slot running along the length of the framing member, the framing member having an inwardly directed and continuous flange running along the length thereof, the flange and the body portion of the framing member defining a groove; a plurality of connecting pieces for connecting adjacent framing members, the connecting pieces each having a first and second portion and lateral tongues on each of the first and second portions, the connecting pieces being at least partially corrugated in cross-section and defining at least a pair of troughs each adjacent to a lateral tongue, the lateral tongues of the connecting piece being received within the grooves of adjacent framing members so as to connect adjacent framing members at predetermined orientations; a plurality of cornerpieces each having a first and second section at, in a preferred embodiment, substantially right angles to each other, the cornerpiece having an inner and an outer surface with a (preferably plastic) material of high coefficient of friction located at least partially over the inner surface, each corner piece being located, in use, with its outer surface adjacent a corner connection between adjacent framing members and its inner surface with the material of high coefficient of friction thereon adapted, in use, to engage the object to be mounted; and a corner cover for connection to adjacent framing members to cover the joint and any exposed connecting piece; wherein the framing members and connecting pieces are slidably connected relative to each other so as to form an adjustable frame of desired shape and configuration, the mounting system further comprising at least one elongate flexible member or cable extending through the frame formed by the framing members and connecting pieces so as to hold the framing members and connecting pieces securely and firmly relative to each other, the cable being located in the pathway formed by the continuous slots of the framing members and in a trough defined in each of the connecting pieces, the slot of a framing member being aligned with a trough in the connecting pieces.
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