Projector mount system and method

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9395033-B2
Application number	US-201414208177-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 13, 2014
Priority date	Mar 13, 2013
Publication date	Jul 19, 2016
Grant date	Jul 19, 2016

Abstract

A mounting system for a projector includes a stationary body and a gimbal assembly to connect to a projector. The mounting system further includes a first support having a first end connected to the stationary body and a second end connected to the gimbal assembly, a second support having a first end connected to the stationary body and a second end connected to the gimbal assembly, and a third support having a first end connected to the stationary body and a second end connected to the gimbal assembly. A length of the first, second, and third supports are adjustable independent of the length of the other of the first, second, and third supports to adjust a tilt angle and a roll angle of a projector connected to the gimbal with respect to the stationary body.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A mounting system for a projector, comprising:
a stationary body;
a frame to connect to a projector;
a first support haying a first end connected to the stationary body and a second end connected to the frame;
a second support having a first end connected to the stationary body and a second end connected to the frame;
a third support having a first end connected to the stationary body and a second end connected to the frame;
a length of the first, second, and third supports being adjustable independent of the length of the other of the first, second, and third supports to adjust a tilt angle and a roll angle of the projector connected to the frame with respect to the stationary body;
a first pivotable connector between the stationary body and the frame; and
a second pivotable connector between the stationary body and the frame;
wherein the first and second pivotable connectors are configured to limit a rotation of the frame with respect to the stationary body, and wherein the length of the first, second, and third supports adjusts in a linear path by rotating a dial.

2. The mounting system of claim 1 , further comprising a plate connected to the stationary body and configured to be in apposition to a generally horizontal support surface.

3. The mounting system of claim 2 , wherein the plate is configured to be attached to a ceiling.

4. The mounting system of claim 1 , wherein the first, second, and third supports are located equidistantly about a perimeter of the mounting system.

5. The mounting system of claim 1 , wherein the stationary body has a generally vertical longitudinal axis and the first, second, and third supports each have a longitudinal axis, the longitudinal axes of the first, second, and third supports each being skewed relative the generally vertical longitudinal axis.

6. The mounting system of claim 1 , wherein the first, second, and third supports include a turnbuckle.

7. The mounting system of claim 1 , wherein the first end of each support is pivotably connected to the stationary body to allow pivoting of the first end of the support relative to the stationary body about a generally horizontal axis.

8. The mounting system of claim 1 , wherein the second end of each support is pivotably connected to the frame to allow pivoting of the second end of the support relative to the frame about a generally horizontal axis.

9. The mounting system of claim 8 , wherein
the stationary body has a connector extending therefrom;
the first pivotable connector has a first end connected to the connector and a second end connected to the frame; and
the second pivotable connector has a first end connected to the connector and a second end connected to the frame.

10. The mounting system of claim 9 , wherein the first end of each pivotable connector is pivotably connected to the connector.

11. The mounting system of claim 10 , wherein the first end of at least one of the first and second pivotable connector is a Y-link comprising an opening defined at least in part by a first side and a second side, wherein the first and second sides are in an opposed spaced apart relationship with each other.

12. The mounting system of claim 11 , wherein at least one of the first and second sides of the Y-link of the at least one pivotable connector is pivotably connected to the connector.

13. The mounting system of claim 11 , wherein
at least a portion of the connector extends through the opening of the Y-link of the at least one pivotable connector; and
at least a portion of the first and second sides of the Y-link are pivotably connected to opposing sides of the connector.

14. The mounting system of claim 9 , wherein the second end of each pivotable connector is pivotably connected to the frame.

15. The mounting system of claim 14 , wherein the frame includes opposing first and second plates configured for encapsulating the second end of each support and the second end of each pivotable connector therebetween.

16. The mounting system of claim 15 , wherein the second plate is configured to connect to the projector.

17. The mounting system of claim 9 , wherein the connector is a protrusion.

18. The mounting system of claim 1 , wherein a length of at least one of the first and second pivotable connectors is adjustable.

19. The mounting system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second pivotable connector comprises a Y-link and a shank, the Y-link and the shank configured for sliding engagement with each other such that a length of the at least one pivotable connector is adjustable.

20. The mounting system of claim 19 , wherein
the Y-link comprises a pivotable end and a sliding section, the pivotable end defining at least a portion of the first end of the at least one pivotable connector;
the shank comprises a sliding section and a pivotable end, the pivotable end defining at least a portion of the second end of the at least one pivotable connector; and
the sliding section of the Y-link and the sliding section of the shank are in sliding engagement with each other such that the length of the at least one pivotable connector is adjustable.

21. The mounting system of claim 20 , wherein
at least a portion of the pivotable end of the Y-link is pivotably connected to the connector; and
at least a portion of the pivotable end of the shank is pivotably connected to the frame.

22. The mounting system of claim 21 , wherein the frame includes opposing first and second plates configured for encapsulating the second end of each support and the pivotable end of the shank there between.

23. The mounting system of claim 20 , wherein
the sliding section of the shank extends through one or more apertures in the sliding section of the Y-link; and
the sliding section includes a jam-nut around a threaded portion of the shank opposite the pivotable end of the shank.

24. The mounting system of claim 23 , wherein the jam-nut inhibits dislodgement of the sliding section of the shank from the sliding, section of the Y-link thereby inhibiting a separation of the shank and the Y-link from each other.

25. The mounting system of claim 23 , wherein a length of the shank extending through the jam-nut is adjustable for limiting a distance the shank slides relative to the Y-link.

26. The mounting system of claim 1 , wherein the first and second pivotable connectors limit movement about a yaw axis of the frame with respect to the stationary body.

Assignees

• Ergotron Inc
• Ergotron Inc

Inventors

• Runger George
• Fluhrer Robert W

Classifications

• F21V21/03

  Ceiling bases, e.g. ceiling roses (F21V21/04 takes precedence) · CPC title

• F21V21/00

  Supporting, suspending, or attaching arrangements for lighting devices (F21V17/00, F21V19/00 take precedence; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q, stands for supporting apparatus or articles in general F16M11/00); Hand grips · CPC title

• F16M13/027

  Ceiling supports · CPC title

• F16M11/14

  with ball-joint (ball-jointed hinges F16C11/06 {; adjustable mountings employing universal joints for lighting devices F21V21/26 - F21V21/30}) · CPC title

• F16M11/125

  for tilting and rolling (F16M11/14 takes precedence) · CPC title