Mounting apparatus for an audio/video system and related methods and systems
원문보기
IPC분류정보
국가/구분
United States(US) Patent
등록
국제특허분류(IPC7판)
H04N-005/64
F16M-011/04
F16M-011/08
F16M-013/02
E04B-001/38
E04F-019/08
출원번호
US-0052745
(2016-02-24)
등록번호
US-9955105
(2018-04-24)
발명자
/ 주소
Millson, Richard Blair
Ima, Alan Toyonobu
출원인 / 주소
Millson Custom Solutions Inc.
대리인 / 주소
Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP
인용정보
피인용 횟수 :
0인용 특허 :
19
초록▼
An audio-video (AV) system in one embodiment includes a mounting apparatus for mounting the system to a wall support located behind a wall surface and within an in-wall space. The mounting apparatus includes a support member for supporting at least one component in a support space within the in-wall
An audio-video (AV) system in one embodiment includes a mounting apparatus for mounting the system to a wall support located behind a wall surface and within an in-wall space. The mounting apparatus includes a support member for supporting at least one component in a support space within the in-wall space, a display mounting member 30 for mounting a display device, and a removable wall opening cover for concealing at least a portion of the in-wall space that would otherwise be visible through a wall opening to a viewer. Various multimedia-supportive devices, including loudspeakers and a subwoofer, may be concealed behind the cover in the in-wall space.
대표청구항▼
1. A mounting apparatus for an audio-video system, comprising: a support member providing a support space for holding at least one component of the audio-video system, the support member being operably configured to be installed in an in-wall space located within a wall such that the support space i
1. A mounting apparatus for an audio-video system, comprising: a support member providing a support space for holding at least one component of the audio-video system, the support member being operably configured to be installed in an in-wall space located within a wall such that the support space is disposed within the in-wall space and is accessible through a wall opening of the wall, the support member defining an access region operable to register with the wall opening to provide access to the support space through the wall opening from outside the wall, wherein the support member comprises a plurality of locations adapted to facilitate removably mounting a corresponding plurality of electronic devices comprising at least one of an audio-visual signal source, a switching, a distribution and an amplification device;a display mounting member connected to the support member and operably configured to mount a display device such that the display device, when mounted, is positioned outside the wall to conceal a first portion of the in-wall space from a viewer situated to view the display device from a generally frontal display viewing position outside the wall; anda cover operably configured to be removably mounted in a plane disposed generally in parallel to a plane of the wall and interposed between the support space and the display device, the cover being dimensioned to conceal a second portion of the in-wall space separate from the first portion of the in-wall space, a peripheral portion of the cover being dimensioned to overlap a wall surface portion proximate the wall opening to conceal the wall surface portion. 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cover is dimensioned to overlap with a peripheral portion of the display device when the display device is mounted in position, as viewed from the viewing position. 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the outer periphery of the cover is dimensioned to be (a) wider than the display device, (b) taller than the display device, or (c) both wider and taller than the display device. 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cover is operably configured to be removably mounted to the support member. 5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cover is operably configured to be removably mounted to an outer wall surface proximate the wall opening. 6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cover is operably configured to be removably mounted while spaced apart from the display device. 7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cover is operably configured to be removably mounted from being flush with an outer wall surface. 8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cover is sufficiently rigid to maintain its form when removed from the wall. 9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cover is operably configured to be removed from the wall without using any tools. 10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cover is mounted to the support member using a French cleat. 11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cover is mounted to the support member using at least one magnet. 12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cover is mounted to the support member using any member of the group consisting of an adhesive, a wall plug, and a hook and loop fastener material. 13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a rear portion of the cover is disposed generally flat against the concealed wall surface portion proximate the wall opening. 14. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cover is dimensioned to conceal at least one peripheral portion of the wall opening. 15. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cover is configured to be substantially symmetrical with respect to at least one of a vertical or a horizontal axis of the display device. 16. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cover is at least as large as the display device. 17. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a peripheral portion of the cover forms a visible frame generally around the entire display device when viewed from the viewing position. 18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the visible frame is substantially symmetrical with respect to the display device when viewed from the viewing position. 19. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cover in its mounted position is spaced apart from the display device in a horizontal direction generally perpendicular to the wall and is disposed proximate a plane of an outer surface of the wall. 20. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the mounted cover is operably configured to be spaced apart from the display device by substantially the same distance over an area spanning the rear surface of the display device. 21. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cover when mounted is oriented such that each vertical edge of the cover is substantially parallel to a corresponding vertical edge of the display device as viewed from the side. 22. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the support member and the at least one component are dimensioned to fit inside a wall having about a 4 inch depth. 23. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the support member is operably configured to be mounted within an in-wall space of about 48 inches high by about 48 inches wide in size. 24. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the support member is operably configured to be mounted within an in-wall space larger than 48 inches high by about 48 inches wide in size. 25. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the support member upon installation is partly covered by a replacement wall surface coplanar with the original wall. 26. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the display mounting member is operably configured to mount and position the display device in a display device position spaced apart from a plane defined by an outer surface of the wall. 27. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the support member is operably configured to house the plurality of audio-visual signal source, switching, distribution and/or amplification devices. 28. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein the support member comprises a generally box-shaped frame. 29. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: a signal processor operably configured to receive a plurality of input signals from a plurality of signal sources and to generate a first output signal to the display device based on the plurality of input signals, the signal processor being mounted in the support space. 30. The apparatus of claim 29 further comprising a first signal source device of the audio-video system removably mounted in the support space and operably coupled to provide a first input signal to the signal processor. 31. The apparatus of claim 30 further comprising: a second signal source device of the audio-video system removably mounted in the support space and operably coupled to provide a second input signal to the signal processor; anda power distribution module connected to the support member and disposed in the in-wall space, the power distribution module operable to provide electrical power to the display device and to the first and second signal source devices. 32. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising at least one signal source from a signal source device located outside the wall. 33. A cover operably configured to be removably mounted between a display device mounted outside a wall and an in-wall space located within the wall and accessible from outside the wall through a wall opening in the wall, the wall opening being dimensioned larger than the display device in at least one dimension of height and width, wherein the cover is dimensioned to conceal a peripheral portion of the wall opening that is not otherwise concealed from a viewer by the display device at a display viewing position, a peripheral portion of the cover dimensioned to overlap a wall surface portion of the wall proximate the wall opening to conceal the wall surface portion, wherein the cover is operably configured to cooperate with a support member providing a support space for holding at least one component of an audio-video system, the support member being operably configured to be installed in the in-wall space located within a wall. 34. The cover of claim 33 wherein the cover is dimensioned to visually frame the display device to the viewer in a generally symmetric manner. 35. The cover of claim 33 wherein the cover comprises acoustically transparent fabric operable to permit acoustic waves generated in the in-wall space to pass through the cover. 36. The cover of claim 33 wherein the cover has an inner opening, the inner opening operable to permit at least one electrical conductor to pass through to carry an electrical power signal from the in-wall space to power the display device. 37. The cover of claim 33 wherein the cover has an inner opening configured to permit a portion of a display mounting member located partially in the in-wall space, to pass through the inner opening, to facilitate mounting the display device outside the wall. 38. The cover of claim 37 wherein the cover comprises an outer frame and an inner frame, the inner frame defining the inner opening. 39. The cover of claim 33 wherein the cover is adapted to conceal a plurality of speakers located in the in-wall space, wherein the plurality of speakers would be in a line of sight of the viewer if the cover was absent. 40. An audio-video system comprising: a support member providing a support space for holding components of the audio-video system including a plurality of signal source devices removably mounted in the support space, the support member being installed in an in-wall space located within a wall such that the support space is disposed within the in-wall space and is accessible through a wall opening of the wall, the support member defining an access region operable to register with the wall opening to provide access to the support space through the wall opening from outside the wall;a display mounting member connected to the support member and operably configured to mount a display device such that the display device is positioned outside the wall;a signal processor operably configured to receive a plurality of input signals from a plurality of signal sources and to generate a first output signal to the display device based on the plurality of input signals, the signal processor being mounted in the support space;a display device mounted on the display mounting member and spaced apart from the support space, the display device being configured to receive the first output signal from the signal processor; anda first signal source device of the audio-video system removably mounted in the support space and operably coupled to provide a first input signal to the signal processor. 41. The system of claim 40 further comprising a second signal source device of the audio-video system removably mounted in the support space and operably coupled to provide a second input signal to the signal processor; anda power distribution module connected to the support member and disposed in the in-wall space, the power distribution module operable to provide electrical power to the display device and the first and second signal source devices. 42. The system of claim 41 further comprising at least one signal source from a signal source device located outside the wall. 43. The system of claim 42 further comprising: a cover operably configured to be removably mounted between the display device mounted outside the wall and the in-wall space;wherein the wall opening is dimensioned larger than the display device in at least one dimension of height and width;wherein the cover is dimensioned to conceal a peripheral portion of the wall opening that is not otherwise concealed from a viewer by the display device at a display viewing position, and a peripheral portion of the cover is dimensioned to overlap a wall surface portion of the wall proximate the wall opening to conceal the wall surface portion; andwherein the cover is operably configured to cooperate with the support member providing the support space for holding the components of the audio-video system. 44. The system of claim 40 wherein the support member comprises a connector for a power distribution module. 45. The system of claim 40 wherein the support member comprises at least one connector for removably mounting at least one loudspeaker to the support member. 46. The system of claim 40 wherein the support member comprises a connector for removably mounting an amplifier to the support member. 47. The system of claim 40 wherein the support member comprises a connector for removably mounting an audio-video processor to the support member. 48. The system of claim 40 wherein the support member comprises a mount for a subwoofer comprising a subwoofer mounting bracket. 49. The system of claim 40 wherein the support member comprises at least one connector for LCR speakers to be disposed in the in-wall space. 50. The system of claim 40, the apparatus further comprising a subwoofer mount operably configured to permit mounting of a subwoofer at any one of a plurality of vertical positions such that a center of a driver of the subwoofer is disposed between an edge of the display device and an edge of the cover, as viewed in a side elevation view. 51. The system of claim 50 wherein the subwoofer mount is operably configured to slidingly receive the subwoofer for mounting. 52. The system of claim 40 wherein the apparatus further comprises a low voltage connection member for terminating a plurality of low voltage cables entering the in-wall space. 53. The system of claim 52 wherein the low voltage connection member is operably configured to receive low voltage signals including an audio-video signal and a data signal for use by corresponding audio-video system components. 54. The system of claim 40 wherein the apparatus further comprises a power distribution module operably connected to a line voltage, the power distribution module converting the line voltage to at least one low voltage for use by at least one of the components of the audio-video system. 55. The system of claim 54 wherein the power distribution module is connected to a connector that is connected to a power amplifier for producing audio signals, wherein the power amplifier is mounted to the support member. 56. The system of claim 55 wherein the apparatus further comprises a signal processor mounted to the support member and located in the in-wall space, the signal processor being powered by the power distribution module. 57. The system of claim 56 wherein the signal processor includes a plurality of HDMI inputs and at least one HDMI output. 58. The system of claim 57 wherein the apparatus further comprises an audio power amplifier mounted to the support member in the in-wall space, the audio power amplifier being powered by the power distribution module. 59. The system of claim 58 wherein the audio power amplifier is located proximate an elongate speaker region comprising a left speaker, a center speaker and a right speaker generally horizontally disposed in series along a longitudinal axis of the elongate speaker region. 60. The system of claim 59 wherein the audio power amplifier is provided in an elongate form factor having a longitudinal axis generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongate speaker region. 61. The system of claim 60 wherein the elongate form factor of the audio power amplifier at least partially spans each of the left, center and right speakers. 62. The system of claim 61 wherein the left, center, and right speakers each comprise a respective sound emitting slot. 63. The system of claim 62 wherein each sound emitting slot is oriented to be generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the audio power amplifier. 64. The system of claim 40 further comprising a plurality of speaker enclosures wherein at least two of the plurality of speaker enclosures are operably configured to abut each other when mounted to the support member. 65. The system of claim 64 wherein left and right speakers of the apparatus are operably configured to abut the center speaker at opposite ends thereof when mounted. 66. The system of claim 65 wherein the left, center, and right speakers are encased in a single, continuous enclosure. 67. The system of claim 66 wherein each of the left, center and right speakers includes a respective connector designed to mate with a corresponding connector mounted to the support member and operably configured to provide a speaker level audio signal. 68. The system of claim 64 wherein the plurality of speakers enclosures are arranged to emit sound along an edge of the display device and directed towards the viewer's position. 69. The system of claim 64 wherein a left speaker enclosure is located to the left of the display device, the right speaker is located to the right of the display device, and the center speaker enclosure is generally below the display device. 70. The system of claim 40 further comprising an AV signal source mount operable to providing mounting for a plurality of AV signal source devices in the support space. 71. The system of claim 70 wherein the plurality of AV signal source devices comprises at least two of the group comprising a set-top box, a satellite receiver, a TV device, a streaming media player, a small form factor computer, and a balun based system used to extend an AV signal from an externally located AV signal source device. 72. The system of claim 71 wherein the AV source mount is operably configured to mount a bracket intended for use with a specific AV signal source device. 73. The system of claim 40 wherein the apparatus further comprises a wall surface interface connected to the support member, the wall surface interface operably configured to provide an interface between the apparatus and a final wall surface when the apparatus is installed in the wall. 74. The system of claim 73 wherein the wall surface interface forms a border for abutting the final wall surface. 75. The system of claim 74 wherein the wall surface interface is operably configured to mount a display device mounting member. 76. The system of claim 75 wherein the wall surface interface is operably configured to mount a cover. 77. The system claim 76 wherein the wall surface interface comprises a panel that is affixed to a front surface of the support member proximate a position of the wall surface. 78. The system of claim 40 wherein the display device mounting member comprises a metal bracket adapted to support the display device in front of the support member and in front of a wall opening cover. 79. The system of claim 78 wherein the display device mounting member is operably configured to be adjusted both vertically and horizontally to allow precise placement of the display device in front of the cover when the cover is mounted. 80. The system of claim 79 wherein the display device mounting member comprises openings adapted to provide cable management between the display device and the in-wall space. 81. The system of claim 79 wherein the display device mounting member comprises openings communicating with the wall opening and operable to facilitate cooling of components within the in-wall space by permitting circulation of air between the in-wall space and outside the wall. 82. The system of claim 40 wherein access to the in-wall space is provided when the cover is removed. 83. An entertainment system having a positionable in-wall loudspeaker mounting, the system comprising: a support member providing a support space for holding at least one component of the audio-video system, the support member being operably configured to be installed in an in-wall space located within a wall such that the support space is disposed within the in-wall space and is accessible through a wall opening of the wall, the support member defining an access region operable to register with the wall opening to provide access to the support space through the wall opening from outside the wall;a display device mounting member connected to the support member and operably configured to mount a display device such that the display device, when mounted, is positioned outside the wall to conceal a first portion of the in-wall space from a viewer situated to view the display device from a display viewing position outside the wall;a loudspeaker enclosure; anda loudspeaker mounting member including a guide for receiving the loudspeaker enclosure into a mounted position in which the loudspeaker will project sound in a line of sight towards a viewer position without obstruction of the sound by the display device. 84. The system of claim 83, wherein the loudspeaker enclosure is a subwoofer operably configured to slide generally vertically into and be received in the in-wall space. 85. The system of claim 84, further comprising a power amplifier operable to be connected to a power and signal distribution circuit through a connector. 86. The system of claim 83, wherein the loudspeaker enclosure includes a tweeter driver and is operably configured to slide generally horizontally into a socket in the in-wall space. 87. The system of claim 83, further comprising a multi-channel electrical connector mounted on the support member and operatively configured to mate with a corresponding multi-channel electrical connector on the speaker to simultaneously connect a plurality of signal channels. 88. The system of claim 83, further comprising a distribution circuit operable to interconnect at least one speaker to an audio power amplifier.
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