Method and apparatus for mounting flat screen television on vertically oriented surface

Abstract

An apparatus and method are provided for mounting a flat screen television on a vertically oriented surface. The apparatus includes a mounting assembly that attaches to the back of the television and is lifted and slidably inserted in position on a wall mount assembly. The mounting assembly adapts to different sized mounting screws, permits the orientation of the television to be adjusted to square the television with the ceiling, and permits the television to be tilted about horizontal and vertical axes.

1 . In combination with a flat screen television, the television including 
 a front, and    a back,    the improvements mounting the television on a vertically oriented wall, said improvements including    (a) at least one mounting member mounted on said wall and including at least one slot;    (b) at least one horizontally oriented structural support member including an intermediate portion slidably inserted in said slot;    (c) at least a pair of vertically oriented spaced apart structural support members connected to said horizontally oriented structural support member;    (d) a plurality of connector members mounted on said vertically oriented structural support members and connected to the back of the television.    
   
   
       2 . In combination with a flat screen television, the television including 
 a front, and    a back,    the improvements mounting the television on a vertically oriented wall, said improvements including    (a) at least one mounting member mounted on said wall;    (b) at least one connector member mounted on said mounting member;    (c) at least one horizontally oriented support member mounted in said connector member for lateral and rotational movement therein to permit the position of the television on the wall to be laterally and pivotally adjusted;    (d) at least a pair of vertically oriented spaced apart structural support members connected to said horizontally oriented structural support member;    (e) a plurality of connector members mounted on said vertically oriented structural support members and connected to the back of the television.    
   
   
       3 . In combination with a flat screen television, the television including 
 a front, and    a back,    the improvements mounting the television on a vertically oriented wall, said improvements including    (a) at least one mounting member mounted on said wall;    (b) at least one horizontally oriented structural support member including an intermediate portion mounted on said mounting member;    (c) at least a pair of vertically oriented spaced apart structural support members connected to said horizontally oriented structural support member;    (d) a plurality of connector units mounted on said vertically oriented structural support members and connected to the back of the television, each of said connector units including a vibration absorbing spacer.    
   
   
       4 . In combination with a flat screen television, the television including 
 a front, and    a back having a contour,    the improvements mounting the television on a vertically oriented wall, said improvements including    (a) at least one mounting member mounted on said wall;    (b) at least one horizontally oriented support member mounted on said mounting member;    (c) at least a pair of vertically oriented spaced apart structural support members connected to said horizontally oriented structural support member;    (d) a plurality of connector members 
 (i) pivotally mounted on said vertically oriented structural support members to permit said connector members to be pivoted on said vertically oriented structural support members to register with the contour of the back of the television, and  
 (ii) connected to the back of the television.  
   
   
   
       5 . In combination with a flat screen television, the television including 
 a front, and    a back,    the improvements mounting the television on a vertically oriented wall, said improvements including    (a) at least one mounting member mounted on said wall;    (b) at least one horizontally oriented support member mounted on said mounting member;    (c) at least a pair of vertically oriented spaced apart structural support members connected to said horizontally oriented structural support member;    (e) a plurality of connector members mounted on said vertically oriented structural support members and connected to the back of the television, the orientation of said connector members on said vertically oriented support members being adjustable to alter the location of the television on the wall.    
   
   
       6 . A method for mounting a flat screen television on a vertically oriented wall, the television including a front and a back, the method comprising the steps of 
 (a) providing 
 (i) at least one mounting member to be mounted on the wall;  
 (ii) at least one horizontally oriented structural support member including an intermediate portion shaped and dimensioned to be mounted on said mounting member;  
 (iii) at least a pair of vertically oriented spaced apart structural support members connected to said horizontally oriented structural support member;  
 (iv) a plurality of connector members mounted on said vertically oriented structural support members to be connected to the back of the television;  
   (b) mounting said mounting member on the wall;    (c) connecting said connector member to the back of the television; and,    (d) mounting said horizontally oriented member on said mounting member.