Angle adjustment device in display device

• US 4,995,579 A
• Filed: 06/01/1989
• Issued: 02/26/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: NHK Spring Company Limited
• Original Assignee: NHK Spring Company Limited
• Inventors: Kitamura, Yoshiharu
• Primary Examiner(s): Chin-Shue, Alvin C.
• Application Number:
  US07/359,884
• Time in Patent Office: 635 Days
• Field of Search: 248/284, 248/291, 248/917, 248/184, 248/292.1, 248/919-923, 358/254, 16/302, 16/305-307, 16/337, 16/339
• US Class Current: 248/284.1
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/10 around a horizontal axis F16M11/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/2021 around a horizontal axis F16M11/2035 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/00 Other supports for positioning apparatus or articles heads thereof F16M11/02 ; undercarriages thereof F16M11/20 ; adapted to be stuck in the ground A45F3/44 ; sockets or holders for poles or posts E04H12/22; Means for steadying hand-held apparatus or articles supports for measuring instruments G01D11/30; supports for casings of remote control switching devices H01H9/025
• 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: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1679 for locking or maintaining the movable parts of the enclosure in a fixed position, e.g. latching mechanism at the edge of the display in a laptop or for the screen protective cover of a PDA G06F1/1681 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1681 Details related solely to hinges hinge details related to the transmission of signals or power are classified in G06F1/1683
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/919 Adjustably orientable video screen support

Abstract

An angle adjustment consists of an arm having a first axis fixed to a main body which supports a display so as to vertically stand up and a second axis allowed to stand up the display by rotation by connecting it to the display, a spring which energizes the second axis so as to rotate in the standing up direction of the display, a spring which locks the inclining falling down of the display by friction force being downwardly inserted into the first axis in a closely contact state, and a stopper mechanism which restricts a rotation angle of the second axis when the display vertically stands up by the spring. The angle adjustment of the display is performed around the first axis by a loading force more than the friction force of the locking spring by the energized force of the spring.

Claims

1. An electronic display device comprising a main body, a display unit and an angle adjustment device connected between the main body and the display unit for lifting the display unit from the main body into a viewable position and enabling adjustment of the viewable position, the adjustment device comprising a pivot arm and secured to the main body, a second shaft journalled in the pivot arm in parallel with the first arm and secured to the display unit, a torsion spring connected between the pivot arm and the second shaft for urging the second shaft to rotate in a direction raising the display unit from the main body, a stop mechanism in the pivot arm for limiting the amount of rotation of the second shaft in said direction, and a lock spring in the pivot arm in frictional engagement with the first shaft allowing rotational adjustment of the pivot arm about the first shaft to provide said adjustment of the viewable position only when the frictional force of the lock spring is overcome.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the lock spring comprises a helical spring surrounding the first shaft and having an end portion fixed in the pivot arm.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the stop mechanism comprises a part circular recessed segment formed on an interior wall of the pivot arm coaxial with the second shaft, and a radial pin carried by the second shaft and located in said segment.

4. A device as claimed in claim 3 wherein the pivot arm has a removable cover defining said interior wall whereby the cover can be replaced by another cover having a segment of different angular extent.

5. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the torsion spring comprises a helical spring surrounding the second shaft and having one end fixed relative to the second shaft and an opposite end fixed relative to the pivot arm.