AU2019219732B2

AU2019219732B2 - Shelf mountable on an electronic display device

Info

Publication number: AU2019219732B2
Application number: AU2019219732A
Authority: AU
Inventors: John Capenecas
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-10-05
Filing date: 2019-08-20
Publication date: 2021-05-27
Anticipated expiration: 2039-08-20
Also published as: AU2019219732A1

Abstract

A shelf (10) mountable on an electronic display device (20) is provided. The shelf (10) comprises a platform (100) having an upper planar surface (102), a flange (110) extending downwardly from the platform (100), and a bracket (114) attached to the platform (100) so that the bracket (114) extends downwardly from the platform (100) and spaced from the flange (110). The flange (110) is configured to engage a forwardly-facing surface (22) of the electronic display device (20), and the bracket (114) is configured to engage a rearwardly facing surface (24) of the electronic display device (20) such that the upper planar surface (102) is substantially horizontal. 1/7 12 100 102 128 130 108140 Lf 1120 0 2126 32 126 132 118 114 122 Lb 120 116 120 34 Fig. 1

Description

1/7

12 100 102 128 130 108140

Lf 1120 0

2126

32 126 132 118

114 122 Lb

120

116 120

34

Fig. 1

SHELF MOUNTABLE ON AN ELECTRONIC DISPLAY DEVICE

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a shelf mountable on an electronic display device, such as a television or display monitor.

Background

[0002] In most homes, televisions are typically used in conjunction with one or more audio/video equipment and accessories such as, for example, media players, cable and satellite boxes, stereo equipment, home-assist devices, and gaming consoles. Users often purchase cabinetry on which the television and audio/video equipment and accessories can be placed. Such audio/video equipment and accessories are typically placed on the cabinetry surface in close proximity to the television. This often leads to cluttering around the base of the television, which is not aesthetically pleasing.

[0003] In some instances, specialised stereo equipment such as soundbars are often required to be placed on the cabinetry surface directly in front of the television so as to allow for optimal performance. A problem with this placement is that the soundbar can obstruct a portion of the television display, thus compromising the user's viewing experience. This problem is exacerbated for soundbars that occupy some height and for televisions where there is only a small distance between the bottom of the television display and the cabinetry surface. In an attempt to address this problem, users have resorted to mounting soundbars on the wall directly above the television. However, this is also problematic as users are required to fix the soundbar to the wall, typically by screws drilled into the wall, which is often not permissible for renters or non-permanent dwellers.

Object

[0004] It is an object of the present disclosure to substantially overcome or ameliorate one or more of the above problems, or at least provide a useful alternative.

Summary

[0005] In an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a shelf mountable on an electronic display device, the shelf comprising: a platform comprising an upper planar surface, a first side end and an opposed second side end; a flange extending downwardly from the platform, the flange being configured to engage a forwardly-facing surface of the electronic display device; a bracket moveably attached to the platform so that the bracket extends downwardly from the platform and is spaced from the flange; and a connector moveably attaching the bracket to the platform, the connector comprising an upper portion slidably attached to the platform such that the bracket is moveable between the first side end and the second side end, and a lower portion slidably attached to the bracket such that the distance between the bracket and the flange is adjustable, wherein the bracket is configured to engage a rearwardly-facing surface of the electronic display device such that the upper planar surface is substantially horizontal.

Paragraphs[0006] and [0007] are intentionallydeleted.

[0008] The lower portion of the connector may comprise two spaced-apart legs extending downwardly from the upper portion of the connector. Each of the legs may be configured to frictionally engage the bracket to substantially secure the bracket relative to the connector.

[0009] In some embodiments, each of the legs may define an aperture and the bracket may define an elongate slot. The connector may further comprise a locking pin received in the apertures of each of the legs and the elongate slot.

Paragraph[0010] is intentionally deleted.

[0011] The platform may define a groove extending between the first side end and the second side end. The upper portion of the connector may be configured to be received by the groove and slidable therein.

[0012] The groove may have a dovetail-shaped cross-section.

[0013] The bracket may comprise an upper segment and at least one lower segment attached to the upper segment by a weakened region. The weakened region may be configured to be breakable to separate the at least one lower segment from the upper segment.

[0014] In some embodiments, the upper segment of the bracket may define the elongate slot.

[0015] The upper segment of the bracket maybe ribbed.

[0016] The flange and the platform maybe integrally formed.

[0017] The downward extension of the bracket from the platform maybe greater than the downward extension of the flange from the platform.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0018] Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described hereinafter, byway of examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0019] Fig. 1 is a side view of an embodiment of a shelf mounted on an electronic display device, during use;

[0020] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a platform and a flange of the shelf of Fig. 1;

[0021] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a bracket of the shelf of Fig. 1;

[0022] Fig. 4 is a front view of the bracket of Fig. 3;

[0023] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a connector of the shelf of Fig. 1;

[0024] Fig. 6 is a front view of the bracket of Fig. 3 being attached to the connector of Fig. 5;

[0025] Fig. 7 is a side view of another embodiment of a shelf mounted on an electronic display device, during use;

[0026] Fig. 8 is a rear view of a platform of the shelf of Fig. 7; and

[0027] Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a bracket of the shelf of Fig. 7.

Description of Embodiments

[0028] Fig. 1 shows a shelf 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The shelf 10 is mountable on the top of an electronic display device 30, such as a television (e.g. LED television, LCD television, OLED television, Plasma television), a display monitor, or the like.

[0029] The shelf 10 comprises a platform 100 having an upper planar surface 102 on which various audio/video equipment and accessories may be placed thereon, such as, for example, media players, cable and satellite boxes, stereo equipment, home-assist devices, and gaming consoles. With reference to Fig. 2, the platform 100 comprises a first side end 104 and an opposed second side end 106. The platform 100 defines a groove 108 that extends between the first side end 104 and the second side end 106. In this embodiment, the groove 108 has a dovetail-shaped cross-section. The platform 100 also has a width that is substantially equal to the width of the electronic display device 30.

[0030] The shelf 10 also comprises a flange 110 that extends downwardly from the platform 100. In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the flange 110 has a rearwardly-facing surface 112 that is substantially perpendicular to the upper planar surface 102. The flange 110 is configured to engage a forwardly-facing surface 32 of the electronic display device 30. Specifically, the rearwardly-facing surface 112 of the flange 110 is configured to abut the forwardly-facing surface 32 of the electronic display device 30. In this embodiment, the forwardly-facing surface 32 is the front surface of the bezel of the electronic display device 30. The flange 110 has a length that is substantially equal to the length between the first and second side ends 104, 106 of the platform 100. The rearwardly-facing surface 112 of the flange 110 has a downwardly-extending length Lf equal or substantially similar to the downwardly-extending length of the bezel so as to not obstruct the display (not shown) of the electronic display device 30 during use. In this embodiment, the flange 110 and the platform 100 are integrally formed from a plastics material, such as Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), for example.

[0031] The shelf 10 further comprises a triangular-shaped bracket 114. The bracket 114 is attached to the platform 100 so that the bracket 114 extends downwardly from the platform 100 and spaced from the flange 110, as best shown in Fig. 1. The bracket 114 has a forwardly facing surface 116 with a downwardly-extending length Lb. The bracket 114 is configured to engage a rearwardly-facing surface 34 of the electronic display device 30. Specifically, the forwardly-facing surface 116 of the bracket 114 is configured to abut the rearwardly-facing surface 34 of the electronic display device 30. With reference to Figs. 3 and 4, the bracket 114 has an upper segment 118 and two lower segments 120 attached to the upper segment 118. The forwardly-facing surface 116 extends along the upper segment 118 and the two lower segments 120. The downward extension of the bracket 114, as defined by the length Lb, is greater than the downward extension of the flange 110 from the platform 100, as defined by the length Lf. This allows the bracket 114 to support the loads on the upper planar surface 102 of the platform 100. The bracket 114 defines grooves 122 between adjacent segments 118, 120. The grooves 122 define weakened regions that are configured to be manually breakable to separate at least one lower segment 120 from the upper segment 118. The upper segment 118 defines an elongate slot 124 and has ribbed surfaces 126 adjacent the elongate slot 124. The bracket 114 is integrally formed from a plastics material, such as PVC, for example.

[0032] The bracket 114 is attached to the platform 100 byway of a connector 128, as shown in Fig. 1. The connector 128 has an upper portion 130 slidably attached to the platform 100 and a lower portion 132 slidably attached to the bracket 114. The upper portion 130 is configured to be received by the groove 108 and slidable therein such that the bracket 114 is moveable between the first side end 104 and the second side end 106. This allows the bracket 114 to be positioned anywhere between the first side end 104 and the second side end 106. As shown in Fig. 5, the upper portion 130 has a dovetail-shaped cross-section corresponding to the dovetail-shaped cross-section of the groove 108 of the platform 100. In other embodiments, the groove 108 and the upper portion 130 may each have a cross-section of any other suitable shape.

[0033] The connector 128 moveably attaches the bracket 114 to the platform 100 such that the distance between the bracket 114 and the flange 110 is adjustable. In this regard, the lower portion 132 of the connector 128 has two spaced-apart legs 134 that extend downwardly from the upper portion 130, as shown in Fig. 5. Each of the legs 134 defines an aperture 136. With reference to Fig. 6, the upper segment 118 of the bracket 114 is positioned between the legs 134 of the connector 128 and a locking pin 138, in the form of a bolt, is received in the apertures 136 of each of the legs 134 and the elongate slot 124. The locking pin 138 and elongate slot 124 are dimensioned such that a snug clearance is provided between the locking pin 138 and the elongate slot 124, thus allowing the bracket 114 to slidably move relative to the connector 128 to adjust the distance between the bracket 114 and the flange 110. Each of the legs 134 is also configured to frictionally engage the ribbed surfaces 126 of the bracket 114 to substantially secure the bracket 114 relative to the connector 128. A locking mechanism 140, in the form of a nut, engages the locking pin 138 to secure the bracket 114 relative to the connector 128. The connector 128 is formed from a plastics material, such as PVC, for example.

[0034] Mounting of the shelf 10 on the electronic display device 30 will now be described with reference to Fig. 1. The shelf 10 is positioned on the top of the electronic display device 30 such that the rearwardly-facing surface 112 of the flange 110 engages the forwardly-facing surface 32 of the electronic display device 30. Engagement of the flange 110 with the forwardly-facing surface 22 prevents the shelf 10 from moving rearwardly relative to the electronic display device 30. The distance between the bracket 114 and the flange 110 is then adjusted by slidably moving the bracket 114 relative to the connector 128 so that the forwardly-facing surface 116 of the bracket 114 engages the rearwardly-facing surface 34 of the electronic display device 30. The bracket 114 engages the rearwardly-facing surface 34 of the electronic display device 30 such that the upper planar surface 102 is substantially horizontal.

[0035] Depending on the design of the electronic display device 30, at least one lower segment 120 of the bracket 114 may be separated from the upper segment 118 to facilitate engagement of the bracket 114 with the rearwardly-facing surface 34. For example, rearwardly-extending cables or portions of the electronic display device 30 may obstruct one or more lower segments 120 of the bracket 114, thus requiring those lower segments 120 to be separated from the bracket 114 to maximise engagement of the bracket 114 with the rearwardly-facing surface 34.

[0036] Once the bracket 114 engages the rearwardly-facing surface 34, the locking mechanism 140 is used to engage the locking pin 138 to secure the bracket 114 relative to the connector 128. In this embodiment, the nut 140 is screwably tightened on the bolt 138 so as to sandwich the upper segment 118 of the bracket 114 between the legs 134 of the connector 128. The ribbed surfaces 126 of the upper segment 118 also frictionally engage the legs 134 to further secure the bracket 114 relative to the connector 128. It will be appreciated that the flange 110 and the bracket 114 engage the respective forwardly-facing and rearwardly-facing surfaces 32, 34 of the electronic display device 30 with sufficient force to securely mount the shelf 10 on the electronic display device 30. It will also be appreciated that the bracket 114 can be positioned anywhere between the first side end 104 and the second side end 106 to allow the shelf 10 to be securely mounted on the electronic display device 30.

[0037] In other embodiments, the shelf 10 may comprise two or more brackets 114 and two or more corresponding connectors 128.

[0038] Fig. 7 shows a shelf 20 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. The shelf 20 is also mountable on the electronic display device 30.

[0039] The shelf 20 comprises a platform 200 having an upper planar surface 202 on which various audio/video equipment and/or accessories may be placed thereon, such as, for example, media players, cable and satellite boxes, stereo equipment, home-assist devices, and gaming consoles. With reference to Fig. 8, the platform 200 comprises a first side end 204 and an opposed second side end 206. The platform 200 defines two grooves 208 spaced from one another as well as two apertures 210 that each extend downwardly from the upper planar surface 202 to respective grooves 208. The platform 200 has a width that is substantially equal to the width of the electronic display device 30.

[0040] The shelf 20 also comprises a flange 212 that extends downwardly from the platform 200. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 7, the flange 212 has a rearwardly-facing surface 214 that is substantially perpendicular to the upper planar surface 202. The flange 212 is configured to engage the forwardly-facing surface 32 of the electronic display device 30.

Specifically, the rearwardly-facing surface 214 of the flange 212 is configured to abut the forwardly-facing surface 32 of the electronic display device 30. In this embodiment, the forwardly-facing surface 32 is the front surface of the bezel of the electronic display device 30. The flange 212 has a length that is substantially equal to the length between the first and second side ends 204, 206 of the platform 200. The rearwardly-facing surface 214 of the flange 212 has a downwardly-extending length Lf equal or substantially similar to the downwardly-extending length of the bezel so as to not obstruct the display (not shown) of the electronic display device 30 during use. In this embodiment, the flange 212 and the platform 200 are integrally formed from a plastics material, such as PVC, for example.

[0041] The shelf 20 further comprises two brackets 216 that are attached to the platform 200 so that the brackets 216 extend downwardly from the platform 200 and spaced from the flange 212, as best shown in Fig. 7. Each of the brackets has a forwardly-facing surface 218 with a downwardly-extending length LbI. Each of the brackets 216 is configured to engage the rearwardly-facing surface 34 of the electronic display device 30. Specifically, the forwardly facing surfaces 218 of the brackets 216 are configured to abut the rearwardly-facing surface 34 of the electronic display device 30. With reference to Fig. 9, each of the brackets 216 has an upper portion 220 and a lower portion 222 that extends downwardly from the upper portion 220. The upper portion 220 is configured to be received by the respective groove 208 and slidable therein. The downward extension of each of the brackets 216, as defined by the length LbIis greater than the downward extension of the flange 212 from the platform 200, as defined by the length Lf. This allows each of the brackets 216 to support the loads on the upper planar surface 202 of the platform 200. The upper portion 220 also defines an elongate slot 224.

[0042] Each of the brackets 216 is attached to the platform 200 by way of a connector (not shown). The connector moveably attaches the respective bracket 216 to the platform 200 such that the distance between the respective bracket 216 and the flange 212 is adjustable. The connector comprises a locking pin, in the form of a bolt, which is received in the respective aperture 210 of the platform 200 and the elongate slot 224 of the respective bracket 216. The locking pin and elongate slot 224 are dimensioned such that a snug clearance is provided between the locking pin and the elongate slot 224, thus allowing the respective bracket 216 to slidably move relative to the connector to adjust the distance between the respective bracket

216 and the flange 212. A locking mechanism, in the form of a nut, engages the locking pin to secure the respective bracket 216 relative to the connector.

[0043] Mounting of the shelf 20 on the electronic display device 30 will now be described with reference to Fig. 7. The shelf 20 is positioned on the top of the electronic display device 30 such that the rearwardly-facing surface 214 of the flange 212 engages the forwardly-facing surface 32 of the electronic display device 30. Engagement of the flange 212 with the forwardly-facing surface 32 prevents the shelf 20 from moving rearwardly relative to the electronic display device 30. The distances between the brackets 216 and the flange 212 are then adjusted by slidably moving the brackets 216 relative to the respective connectors so that the forwardly-facing surfaces 218 of the brackets 216 engage the rearwardly-facing surface 34 of the electronic display device 30. The brackets 216 engage the rearwardly-facing surface 34 of the electronic display device 30 such that the upper planar surface 202 is substantially horizontal.

[0044] Once the brackets 216 engage the rearwardly-facing surface 34, the locking mechanisms are used to engage the respective locking pins to secure the brackets 216 relative to the respective connectors. In this embodiment, the nuts are screwably tightened on the respective bolts so as to secure the brackets 216 relative to the respective connectors. It will be appreciated that the flange 212 and the brackets 216 engage the respective forwardly facing and rearwardly-facing surfaces 32, 34 of the electronic display device 30 with sufficient force to securely mount the shelf 20 on the electronic display device 30.

[0045] In other embodiments, the shelf 20 may comprise one bracket 216 and the platform 200 may define one groove 208 and one corresponding aperture 210. In yet other embodiments, the shelf 20 may comprise three or more brackets 216 and the platform 200 may define three or more grooves 208 and three or more corresponding apertures 210.

[0046] The embodiments described above has numerous advantages. For example, they allow various audio/video equipment and accessories to be placed on the upper planar surface 102, 202 of the shelf 10, 20 in a secure manner. This reduces clutter around the base of the electronic display device 30. Further, specialised stereo equipment such as soundbars may be placed on the upper planar surface 102, 202 of the shelf 10, 20 rather than directly in front of the electronic display device 30, which would otherwise obstruct the display of the electronic display device 30. Moreover, the adjustability of the brackets 114, 216 allow the shelf 10, 20 to be mounted on a wide range of electronic display devices 30. Further still, the design of the bracket 114 allows for at least one lower segment 120 to be separated from the upper segment 118 to facilitate engagement of the bracket 114 with the rearwardly-facing surface 34 of the electronic display device 30.

[0047] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments, without departing from the broad general scope of the present disclosure. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A shelf mountable on an electronic display device, the shelf comprising: a platform comprising an upper planar surface, a first side end and an opposed second side end; a flange extending downwardly from the platform, the flange being configured to engage a forwardly-facing surface of the electronic display device; a bracket moveably attached to the platform so that the bracket extends downwardly from the platform and is spaced from the flange; and a connector moveably attaching the bracket to the platform, the connector comprising an upper portion slidably attached to the platform such that the bracket is moveable between the first side end and the second side end, and a lower portion slidably attached to the bracket such that the distance between the bracket and the flange is adjustable, wherein the bracket is configured to engage a rearwardly-facing surface of the electronic display device such that the upper planar surface is substantially horizontal.

2. The shelf according to claim 1, wherein the lower portion of the connector comprises two spaced-apart legs extending downwardly from the upper portion of the connector, each of the legs configured to frictionally engage the bracket to substantially secure the bracket relative to the connector.

3. The shelf according to claim 2, wherein each of the legs defines an aperture and the bracket defines an elongate slot, and wherein the connector further comprises a locking pin received in the apertures of each of the legs and the elongate slot.

4. The shelf according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the platform defines a groove extending between the first side end and the second side end, and wherein the upper portion of the connector is configured to be received by the groove and slidable therein.

5. The shelf according to claim 4, wherein the groove has a dovetail-shaped cross section.

6. The shelf according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bracket comprises an upper segment and at least one lower segment attached to the upper segment by a weakened region, the weakened region being configured to be breakable to separate the at least one lower segment from the upper segment.

7. The shelf according to claim 6 when dependent on claim 3, wherein the upper segment of the bracket defines the elongate slot.

8. The shelf according to claim 7, wherein the upper segment of the bracket is ribbed.

9. The shelf according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the flange and the platform are integrally formed.

10. The shelf according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the downward extension of the bracket from the platform is greater than the downward extension of the flange from the platform.