Flush-Retractable TV Mounting Arm for Above-Mantel Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current television mounting devices fail to provide a flush wall mount configuration for large televisions above fireplaces, often resulting in aesthetically unattractive exposure of the mounting arm and cables, and struggle to accommodate varying television sizes and weights, especially when pivoting around a mantel.
Innovation Solution
A mounting apparatus with a pivotally coupled positioning arm and adjustable gas springs that allows for a flush wall installation, enabling televisions with large VESA patterns to be mounted and tilted or swiveled for clear mantel access, using a shallow inset housing and vertical adjustment brackets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a movable mounting arm is used to position the television forward of the fireplace, then the television can be viewed comfortably, but the mounting arm and cables are exposed and aesthetically unattractive when stowed
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting arm is designed to retract completely into the wall cavity housing when in the stowed position, with the arm and cables nested within the housing structure. This nesting approach hides the mounting components from view while maintaining the ability to deploy them when needed, resolving the contradiction between operational functionality and aesthetic appearance.
2Shape
If the mounting arm is designed to retract completely into the wall housing, then a flush wall mount appearance is achieved, but the ability to mount large televisions with heavy weights is limited
Solution Approach 1:
Gas springs are integrated into the mounting arm mechanism to provide mechanical assistance for supporting and moving heavy televisions. The gas springs are positioned within the wall cavity housing and extend to assist the mounting arm during deployment and retraction, enabling the system to handle larger television weights while maintaining complete retraction capability for a flush appearance.
3Ease of operation
If the mounting arm pivots around a mantel from stowed to deployed position, then the television can be positioned forward and downward of the mantel, but the television or mounting apparatus may contact or be blocked by the mantel
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting plate is designed with tilting capability that adds a vertical dimension to the pivoting motion. As the mounting arm pivots forward, the mounting plate tilts downward, allowing the television to clear the mantel horizontally while positioning itself below the mantel vertically. This dual-degree-of-freedom motion resolves the conflict between achieving proper positioning and avoiding mantel contact.
4Weight of moving object
If gas springs are used to support the positioning arm, then larger and heavier televisions can be mounted, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gas springs are integrated into the existing wall cavity housing structure, sharing the housing space with the mounting arm mechanism. The gas springs are positioned to work in conjunction with the mounting arm rather than as separate external components, combining the support function with the structural housing to minimize overall system complexity while maintaining heavy television support capability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables seamless retraction and deployment of large televisions above a mantel, maintaining a flush wall appearance while accommodating various sizes and weights, ensuring aesthetic appeal and functional ease of use.
Implementation Method 1
The mounting apparatus presents a shallow wall insert profile and includes a plurality of variable tensioned gas springs
Data Source
AI summary
A mounting apparatus for positioning a television relative to a wall and a fireplace mantel includes a mounting plate coupled to a distal end of a positioning arm and is moved and positioned according to movement of the positioning arm. The positioning arm has a linear configuration with a proximal end mounted inside an inset wall housing which is itself mounted into a wall above the mantel of a fireplace. The positioning arm is pivotally movable between a retracted configuration completely inside the wall housing and a deployed configuration outside and extending away from the wall housing. The positioning arm includes gas springs and the mounting plate includes an adjustable bracket capable of mounting televisions having large VESA patterns.