Are there desk mounting clamps for hdtvs? Not wall mounting but a flat base

[yoda313]

Ok I'm not sure what the proper search term is for this. Here's what I'm looking for.

I'm considering putting an hdtv on a tv stand but it is next to a corner and will have lots of traffic going by it. Since hdtvs aren't heavy like the old tube tv I used to have there I'm concerned about it tipping.

I don't have the tv yet but I"m looking for a clamp or mounting system. Its particle board not real wood (or some kind of plywood or something - its real furniture but not high end - one of those tv stands with the glass window and two shelves for dvds and vcrs - about two or three feet high).

I've searched for clamps, brackets and mounts but all I keep getting are wall mounts or brackets. I'm not looking to hang a tv. I just want to stabilize it on a flat desk like surface. I want to minimize any vibration or chance of tipping.

I've seen stands for tvs to make them articulate and swivel and all that fancy stuff. I don't want that. I just want something to act as a counterbalance since hdtvs have such a narrow base that is wobbly.

I'll say this for the old crt tubes - at least you knew they weren't light weight and gonna tip over. Especially anything 20" and over were behemoths and weren't gonna move unless it was an earthquake. Nowadays 40" and up are so lightweight they don't have any grounding mass to them.

Any search terms for what I'm looking for would be appreciated.

In the end I'm sure I could rig something up with regular clamps and some wood or something. But if there are designed systems meant to clamp and hold a hdtv in place I would be interested. Thanks.

Oh no timetable on this project. Just something I'm looking to doing in the relatively near future. THanks.

Fyi in case your interested my current hdtv is in a cabinet with a glass door front (always open while watching for viewing and airflow of course). But also its away from any frequent traffic so any jossling isn't a concern. This other location will have lots of movement.

[Case]

Is there really no other option than so close to a walk path? The tv is probably expensive and precious enough to keep it clear for people to accidentally touch it, no matter how bolted down it is. Seriously consider rearranging the room.

[usually_quiet]

There is this for TVs up to 40 inches. The piece to mount the TV itself is a separate purchase. http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_SPM1647691701P?blockNo=4&blockType=G4&prdNo=4...=1317568667850

Other than that, I found nothing. Some TVs have a base that can be securely attached with screws, though I can understand why some prople would not like the idea.

[fritzi93]

Well, you could bolt it down with, say, a couple carriage bolts, head showing and washer/nut hidden inside the furniture. That requires drilling holes, of course.

Or you could try self-adhesive putty, the strongest of which is called "earthquake putty". Removable and shouldn't harm furniture. Might be good enough. Like this:

http://www.sunsetent.com/Categories/quakesecure.html

Or furniture lock-downs. Like this:

http://www.sunsetent.com/Categories/furniturelockdown.html

Good luck.

[EDIT] If the base of the TV is hollow underneath and you really want to weight it down, glue some lead sheeting underneath. Specialty item, but you can find it fairly easily. I was going to suggest lead tape (like golfers use), but you'd need a lot of it.

[jagabo]

There is this for TVs up to 40 inches. The piece to mount the TV itself is a separate purchase. http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_SPM1647691701P?blockNo=4&blockType=G4&prdNo=4...=1317568667850

He could use something like that with larger TVs if he continues using the TV's base. In that case the mount is only stabilizing the TV, not bearing its weight.

Well, you could bolt it down with, say, a couple carriage bolts, head showing and washer/nut hidden inside the furniture. That requires drilling holes, of course.

That was my first thought too. But he may not want to drill holes in the TV's base. Depending on the design of the base, he could avoid drilling holes in it by using wooden beams longer than the base and bolting those beams to the shelf. Or maybe cloth straps.

[yoda313]

@usually_quiet - thanks for the link:

There is this for TVs up to 40 inches. The piece to mount the TV itself is a separate purchase. http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...=1317568667850

I wish it had a picture with a tv installed. Is that to be a standup swivel unit? Thats really more elaborate than I was looking for. But if it simply locks the base to the surface thats what I'm looking for.

THanks for everyones suggestions so far. Drilling holes is probably an option. Its not exactly heirloom quality furniture we're talking about here.

Keep the ideas coming.

@Case - yes another location is available its just the spot in question is most suitable. But again this is all kind of up in the air and nothing is set in stone.

[olyteddy]

What do the Motels use?

[usually_quiet]

@usually_quiet - thanks for the link:

There is this for TVs up to 40 inches. The piece to mount the TV itself is a separate purchase. http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...=1317568667850

I wish it had a picture with a tv installed. Is that to be a standup swivel unit? Thats really more elaborate than I was looking for. But if it simply locks the base to the surface thats what I'm looking for.

THanks for everyones suggestions so far. Drilling holes is probably an option. Its not exactly heirloom quality furniture we're talking about here.

Keep the ideas coming.

@Case - yes another location is available its just the spot in question is most suitable. But again this is all kind of up in the air and nothing is set in stone.

I don't believe that desk mounting clamp includes the swivel arm pictured, and the mount used must be purchased separately. Here is the manufacturer's page http://www.levelmount.com/p-141-level-mount-desktop-mounting-bracket.aspx
I think it would be safer if you could use it for support only, rather than hang the TV from it. Also, it will definitely mar the TV stand even though it is not permanently attached.

Here is a different item that seems more secure: http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&produc...cStoreNum=4152

[yoda313]

@usually_quiet- thanks for the home depot link. That seems more likely. I like its got 4 spots to screw it in.

[usually_quiet]

@usually_quiet- thanks for the home depot link. That seems more likely. I like its got 4 spots to screw it in.

There is also a cover plate available which conceals the base plate and screws and makes everything look neater. It is shown in the pictures on the right side of the page. Unfortunately that is a separate piece to be purchased at additional cost.

[Edit] I read the user review for the main unit at Home Depot. It has one drawback. The mounting plate for attaching the TV itself may block access to the connections at the back of the TV.

[yoda313]

The mounting plate for attaching the TV itself may block access to the connections at the back of the TV.

Hmm...

I'd definetely would have to see one of these tops of models in person before buying. These days with many sets having access from the side for the cables I wonder if thats still a concern. My westinghouse from four years ago has the input jacks on the back on a "spine" design on left and right rather than straight back like tvs have for decades.

But thanks for the heads up. At least its a place to start.

I might try searching level mount or desktop mount and see if I get more results.

Thanks everyone.

The responsiveness and level of assistance this forums members give day in and day out never ceases to amaze me - and on a Sunday no less

[usually_quiet]

The mounting plate for attaching the TV itself may block access to the connections at the back of the TV.

Hmm...

I'd definetely would have to see one of these tops of models in person before buying. These days with many sets having access from the side for the cables I wonder if thats still a concern. My westinghouse from four years ago has the input jacks on the back on a "spine" design on left and right rather than straight back like tvs have for decades.

But thanks for the heads up. At least its a place to start.

I might try searching level mount or desktop mount and see if I get more results.

Thanks everyone.

The responsiveness and level of assistance this forums members give day in and day out never ceases to amaze me - and on a Sunday no less

You are lucky. The weather is unpleasant today, and I am not a football fan. Plus my TV card went belly up yesterday, so I was at my PC looking for a new one.

[yoda313]

@usually_quiet - well your loss is my gain

Unfortunately the whole point might be moot. I did finally get the tv. But I'm in the middle of plotting where to put it. It may just stay where my other one was (long story short it was in a different location than where I was intending the new tv to be in) which was out of the way and not in the traffic zone.

However this is still up in the air. I may be returning to this at another point in the near future.

I will certainly keep this thread in mind should my plans change again.

Thanks all.