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Product Article: Installer-Inspired Mounting Solutions from Chief (1/6/2009)

By Rick van Bommel, Chief Manufacturing

In times when easy adjustments and flexibility can make all the difference, it is important for installers to be able to rely on the mounting products they choose and the service that goes with them. With field research as a base for the solutions it offers, the goal of Chief Manufacturing is to consistently help the installer with a full range of easy-to-install products and accessories that also offer unique, time-saving post-installation features.

Chief Fusion mount series

The new Fusion™ universal mounting system from Chief was inspired by installers, and is aimed at digital signage, video conferencing, home theatre, hospitality, and other applications.

The Chief Fusion mount with centre, left and right speaker adapters, and single component shelf.

Focusing on usability and speed of installation, Fusion mounts solve some of the toughest installation challenges, ranging from inconvenient stud location, to perfect levelling of the flat panel. The four main features of the Fusion series are as follows:

1. Centerless™ Lateral Shift. The mount allows the installer or end-user to relocate the TV left or right without tools, after the installation.

Centerless™ Lateral Shift.

2. ControlZone™ Levelling. This is designed to provide fail-proof mounting, allowing all required adjustments to be made after the mount is on the wall, including overall mount height and levelling. Installers have the option to height-adjust the entire configuration after it is wall-mounted, or just height-adjust either the left or right side to fine-tune the levelling of the screen.

ControlZone™ Levelling.

3. Click-Connect™ Tool-less Latching. This features an audible click when the screen safely engages with the mount. For easy cable access, the built-in cable stand can be used to temporarily position the screen away from the wall. It also provides a tool-less connect/disconnect of the screen. In addition, Chief mounts have integrated security built in as well.

Click-Connect™ Tool-less Latching.

4. Centris™ Low-Profile Tilt. This feature uses the centre of gravity to balance the screen and provides effortless, fingertip tilting without tools, while remaining less than 2" deep.

Centris™ Low-Profile Tilt.

Accessories

Fusion mounts support a full line of accessories that are suited to almost any application. These extend the same adjustment benefits to the entire configuration, and can be mixed and matched with any Fusion mount. Accessories include a surge adapter to allow a surge protector to be installed with the TV; connector kits that allow multiple Fusion mounts to be connected together; centre and left/right speaker adapters; a single or dual component shelf for additional AV components; and up to six different camera shelves that allow camera configurations below, above or between two TVs.

The components shelf was designed with custom applications in mind. It provides limitless centering, because the shelf is attached to the mount and not the wall. This means that should the installer or customer want the entire installation to be moved left or right by up to almost half a metre, the mount, TV and component shelf will all travel together in one go.

The component shelf attaches to the mount instead of the wall.

In addition, the speaker adapters can slide effortlessly in and out from the mounting system so these can be placed easily half a metre from the TV to optimise the sound, or flush against the screen when necessary.

The speaker adapters can slide in and out from the mounting system.

Alignment made easy

Traditionally, it can take installers hours to align multiple displays, but with the 8" and 16" connector kits, it is easy to align multiple displays for digital signage, video conferencing or video wall applications. Furthermore, the post-installation fine-tuning feature makes it almost impossible to have an installation that is not level.

Connector kits allow multiple displays to be aligned, with flexible adjustments.

Chief SL151i automated projector smart lift

The newly-designed SL151i automated projector lift is ideal for finished ceilings in homes and corporate offices, and fits directly into 2x2' suspended ceilings. It is also suitable for table mounting. It is designed to provide smooth, stable and quiet movement at the press of a button, and to be easy to install. For calibration of the projector, the SL151i also allows easy independent roll (+/-2 degrees), pitch (+/-20 degrees) and yaw (+/-5 degrees) movements. Due to its dimensions, the smart lift can also accommodate extra large and heavy projectors, while remaining low-profile and requiring minimal clearance above the ceiling.

The Chief SL151i smart lift can be mounted in the ceiling or in a table.

Smart lift features

The SL151i smart lift offers a range of features to help installers during the install. These include:

1. Precise positioning, with vertical projector cradle adjustment and fore/aft projector positioning.
2. Quick connect/disconnect, with convenient lamp and filter access on most projectors, and maintaining registration, even when disconnected.
3. Low profile, requiring only 11" (279mm) of clearance above the ceiling and providing 8.25" (210mm) of downward travel.
4. Multiple installation options, including three 0.38 (10mm) threaded rods, one 12" NPT threaded extension column with SMA602 accessory, and side mounting with built-in joist tabs.

The smart lift automatically lowers the projector from the ceiling to reveal or conceal at the press of a button. It can be controlled via a single-pole, double-throw (SPDT) switch or an infrared remote control. It is also possible to use one of the many touchpanels on the market.

The Chief IR10 controls the SL151i via infrared.

Conclusion

With over 30 years of experience in the flat panel, projector, LCD, plasma and TV wall mount industries, Chief Manufacturing has the skills and expertise required to anticipate and respond to the needs of the custom install market. With end-user focus, faster installations, superior service and proven quality as core values, the company is keen to develop solutions that save installers time and money, and encourages feedback in order to improve the design of its mounting products and accessories. The Fusion series and SL151i smart lift are prime examples of how this experience has resulted in the design of practical, flexible and installer-friendly products.

Rick van Bommel provides PR for the EMEA PR Department of Chief Manufacturing, provider of flat panel, projector, LCD, plasma and TV wall mount products.

www.chiefmfg.com