LIFT MECHANISM SYSTEMS AND METHODS

• US 20100176254A1
• Filed: 03/23/2010
• Published: 07/15/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/20/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ergotron Incorporated (Melrose Industries Plc)
• Original Assignee: Ergotron Incorporated (Melrose Industries Plc)
• Inventors: Lindblad, Shaun C., Fluhrer, Robert W., Nistler, Steve, Ergun, Mustafa A., Funk, Joe, Eliason, Jeffrey M., Saltz, Ron, Sweere, Harry C., Sweere, Jamie M.
• Application Number:
  US12/729,811
• Publication Number:
  US 20100176254A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 248/123.110
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 21/0073 liftable above the desk top
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/0076 Vertical technical column supporting office equipment
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 81/064 vertically
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 9/02 with balancing device, e.g. by springs, by weight
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 9/12 with flexible height-adjusting means, e.g. rope, chain
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 9/20 Telescopic guides
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/046 adapted to upward-downward translation movement
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/10 around a horizontal axis F16M11/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/18 with mechanism for moving the apparatus relatively to the stand
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/2021 around a horizontal axis F16M11/2035 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/24 changeable in height or length of legs, also for transport only, e.g. by means of tubes screwed into each otherF16M11/42 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/28 Undercarriages for supports with one single telescoping pillar
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/30 with co-moving side-struts
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/42 with arrangement for propelling the support stands on wheels
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/02 for supporting on, or attaching to, an object, e.g. tree, gate, window-frame, cycle
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/041 for balancing rotational movement of the head
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/044 for balancing rotational movement of the undercarriage
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/047 for balancing translational movement of the head
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/048 for balancing translational movement of the undercarriage
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 85/24 Means for preventing insertion of incorrect fuse

Abstract

The invention includes a display positioning assembly comprising a support, a display supported by the support, and a balance mechanism carried by the display and operatively connected to the support. The invention also includes an article for selectively exposing a display comprising a generally planar support surface having a first side and a second side opposite the first side. A balance mechanism operatively connected to a display may be positionable between a storage position proximate the first side of the generally planar support surface and an exposed position proximate the second side of the generally planar support surface. The invention also includes an assembly for arresting the free fall of an object. The assembly may comprise an outer slide in sliding or rolling engagement with an inner slide, and a brake comprising at least one pivot member may be coupled to the inner slide.

Claims

1-42. -42. (canceled)

43. A display positioning assembly comprising:

a base adapted to rest on a generally horizontal support surface;

an electronic display supported by the base; and

a balance mechanism operatively connected to the base via a tilt mechanism for tilting the electronic display relative to the base, the balance mechanism balancing forces between the base and the electronic display to provide vertical adjustment of the display relative to the base, the balance mechanism comprising a wheel comprising a pulley member and a cam member, a first cable coupling an energy source to the cam member, and a second cable functionally coupling the pulley member to the display so that the wheel rotates when the display is vertically adjusted,

the tilt mechanism being on a base side of the balance mechanism, and the balance mechanism tilting along with the electronic display when the electronic display is tilted relative to the base to provide vertical adjustment of the display relative to the base at an infinite number of positions along a range of travel regardless of the tilt angle of the display relative to the base.

44. The display positioning assembly of claim 43, wherein the energy source is a spring.

45. The display positioning assembly of claim 44, wherein the first cable is coupled to the spring by a bullet mechanism that is configured to contact the inner surface of the spring.

46. The display positioning assembly of claim 43, wherein the electronic display comprises a first surface able to display an image and a second surface opposite the first surface, wherein the balance mechanism is coupled to the second surface.

47. The display positioning assembly of claim 46, wherein the second surface of the electronic display defines a cavity and wherein the balance mechanism is substantially received within the cavity.

48. The display positioning assembly of claim 47, further comprising a cover configured to cover the cavity when the balance mechanism is housed therein.

49. The display positioning assembly of claim 43, wherein the balance mechanism is carried on an exterior rear surface of the display.

50. The display positioning assembly of claim 43, wherein the electronic display comprises a computer monitor.

51. The display positioning assembly of claim 43, wherein either the first cable or the second cable comprises a tensile polymer.

52. The display positioning assembly of claim 43, wherein the cam member comprises a material selected from the group consisting of nylon, aluminum, and a glass filled polymer.