Suspension system for video monitor or other equipment

• US 5,876,008 A
• Filed: 01/17/1995
• Issued: 03/02/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ergotron Incorporated (Melrose Industries Plc)
• Original Assignee: Ergotron Incorporated (Melrose Industries Plc)
• Inventors: Wucherpfenning, Fredrick D., Sweere, Harry C., Voeller, Donald M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Braun, Leslie A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BAXTER, GWENDOLYN WRENN
• Application Number:
  US08/372,948
• Time in Patent Office: 1,505 Days
• Field of Search: 248/284.1, 248/281.11, 248/292.14, 248/299.1, 248/324, 248/325, 248/919, 248/921, 248/664, 248/660, 248/631, 248/593, 248/280.11
• US Class Current: 248/325
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/08 around a vertical axis , e.g. panoramic heads F16M11/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/2021 around a horizontal axis F16M11/2035 takes precedence
• 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 2200/044 for balancing rotational movement of the undercarriage
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/068 being part of the undercarriage
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/919 Adjustably orientable video screen support

Abstract

A suspension system having a four bar linkage system including an angled arm for adjustable and positionable vertical and horizontal support of a video monitor or the like. A weight counterbalance adjustment mechanism adjustably compensates for various weights of a load held by the angled arm. Gas springs provide for vertical support of the angled arm. Configured slots in which the upper ends of the gas springs position provide for minimal manual positioning effort and a linear counterbalance throughout the entire range of vertical adjustment. An arm bent at an angle of 120° overcomes the traditional interference of the load with movement of the arm beyond 45°.

Claims

1. A suspension system used to support a video monitor or other equipment, comprising:

a. a major bracket;

b. a minor bracket;

c. a four bar linkage system connecting said minor bracket to said major bracket, said four bar linkage system comprising;

(1) an angled arm composed of a straight first bar joined to a straight second bar by a curved intermediate portion, said first bar being pivotally attached to said minor bracket and said second bar being pivotally attached to said major bracket;

(2) a third bar located above said angled arm and having one end pivotally attached to said minor bracket and the other end pivotally attached to said angled arm at said curved intermediate portion; and

(3) a fourth bar located above said angled arm and having one end pivotally attached to said major bracket and the other end pivotally attached to said angled arm at said curved intermediate portion; and

,

d. a weight counterbalance assembly that is disposed beneath said four bar linkage system, thereby to allow said four bar linkage system to be of a low height profile.

2. The suspension system of claim 1, wherein said weight counterbalance assembly is attached to said angled arm and includes a weight counterbalance adjuster mechanism which comprises opposing plates having opposing algorithm derived arced slots, a configured nut having a cross hole disposed about 90°

to a threaded hole, a pivot pin accommodated in said cross hole and aligned in said arced slots in said opposing plates, a retainer attached to said plates, and a threaded adjustment rod extending through said retainer and through said threaded hole in said configured nut for the purpose of adjusting and positioning said pivot pin along said arced slots.

3. The suspension system of claim 2, wherein said weight counterbalance assembly further comprises:

a pair of gas springs each having one end secured to said major bracket and another end secured to said pivot pin of said weight counterbalance adjuster mechanism.

4. The suspension system of claim 3, further comprising:

a. a down-lock latch for securing said angled arm in a fully down position;

b. an automatically engaging up-lock mechanism for securing said angled arm in its uppermost position; and

,

c. an up-lock release mechanism to allow lowering of said angled arm by trained/authorized personnel.

5. The suspension system of claim 3, wherein:

a. said angled arm has vertical arcuate travel capability of 90°

;

b. said angled arm has a vertical adjustment range of about 30 inches; and

,

c. said major bracket has a horizontal swivel range of about 130°

.

6. The suspension system of claim 1, wherein said major bracket is pivotable along a vertically aligned axis.

7. The suspension system of claim 1, wherein said minor bracket provides a consistent vertical alignment of an axis through which supported equipment can be rotated.

8. The suspension system of claim 1, wherein said weight counterbalance assembly allows said angled arm to counterbalance the supported equipment through a range of motion which is over 45°

of rotation of said angled arm.

9. The suspension system of claim 1, including:

a. an upper stop to limit upward movement of said angled arm; and

,

b. a lower stop to limit downward movement of said angled arm.

10. The suspension system of claim 1, including a down-lock latch to prevent said angled arm from springing upward if the supported equipment is suddenly removed.

11. The suspension system of claim 1, including an up-lock mechanism to prevent said angled arm from dropping downward from its uppermost position.

12. The suspension system of claim 1, wherein said up-lock mechanism engages automatically each time said angled arm is moved to its uppermost position.

13. The suspension system of claim 1, wherein the system has a weight supporting capability of at least 100 pounds.

14. The suspension system of claim 1, wherein said weight counterbalance assembly is positioned with respect to said angled arm by computer analysis algorithm derived slots in opposing plates fastened to said angled arm.

15. The suspension system of claim 1, wherein said angled arm has a vertical arcuate travel capability of 90°

.

16. The suspension system of claim 1, wherein said minor bracket has a total vertical travel capability of about 30 inches.

17. The suspension system of claim 1, wherein said major bracket has a horizontal swivel range of about 130°

.

18. The suspension system of claim 1, wherein the system has a vertical range of movement at least as great as the length of said angled arm.

19. The suspension system of claim 1, including a tilt and swivel mount pivotally attached to said minor bracket.

20. A suspension system used to support a video monitor or other equipment and provide for easy adjustment of its vertical position, comprising:

a. a major bracket;

b. a minor bracket;

c. a four bar linkage system that is of a low height profile, thereby taking up a minimum of vertical space, comprising;

(1) an angled arm with inner and outer straight portions joined by a curved portion and pivotally attached to said major bracket and said minor bracket;

(2) an inboard control linkage rod pivotally connected to said major bracket and to a center link on said curved portion; and

,

(3) an outboard control linkage rod pivotally connected to said center link and said minor bracket; and

,

d. a weight counterbalance assembly that is not contained within said four bar linkage system, thereby allowing said four bar linkage system to be of said low height profile, comprising;

(1) at least one gas spring with one end of said gas spring pivotally connected to a configured nut and the opposite end pivotally connected to said major bracket;

(2) a plate attached to said inner straight portion of said angled arm, said plate having a slot therein and said configured nut carrying a pivot pin which slidingly engages said slot; and

,

(3) a threaded adjustment rod that engages said configured nut and provides for positioning of said pivot pin carried by said configured nut along said slot in said plate.

23. The suspension system of claim 20, 21 or 22, wherein said center link is pivotally attached to said curved portion of said angled arm.

24. The suspension system of claim 20, 21, or 22, including:

a. an upper stop to limit the upward movement of said angled arm; and

,

b. a lower stop to limit the downward movement of said angled arm.

25. The suspension system of claim 24, including a down-lock latch to prevent said angled arm from springing upward if the video monitor or other equipment is suddenly removed.

26. The suspension system of claim 25, wherein said down-lock latch is released through a rotational movement of the down-lock latch.

27. The suspension system of claim 24, including an up-lock mechanism to prevent said angled arm from dropping downward if said gas spring should lose force for any reason.

28. The suspension system of claim 27, wherein said up-lock mechanism engages automatically each time said angled arm is moved to its uppermost position.

29. The suspension system of claim 27, wherein said up-lock mechanism provides for contact of a beveled pin with a beveled surface.

30. The suspension system of claim 27, wherein said up-lock mechanism comprises a release mechanism.

31. The suspension system of claim 20, 21, or 22, wherein a tilt and swivel mount is pivotally attached to said minor bracket.

32. The suspension system of claim 31, wherein said tilt and swivel mount comprises a polymer washer compressed between two metal surfaces under compression provided by a spring washer.

33. The suspension system of claim 32, wherein said polymer washer is made of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene or other polymers having similar dynamic and static coefficients of friction.

34. The suspension system of claim 20, 21 or 22, wherein said angled arm provides for a vertical adjustment of at least 30 inches.

35. The suspension system of claim 20, 21 or 22, wherein said curved portion of said angled arm comprises a bend of approximately 120°

.

36. The suspension system of claim 20, 21 or 22, wherein said slot is configured to form a radiused curve that provides minimal manual positioning effort for the entire range of vertical adjustment.

37. The suspension system of claim 20, 21 or 22, or wherein the adjustment of said threaded adjustment rod provides for adjustable support force by said gas spring throughout the range of positions of said angled arm and weights of up to 100 pounds.

38. The suspension system of claim 20, 21 or 22, wherein said angled arm has a vertical arcuate travel of 90°

.

39. The suspension system of claim 20, 21 or 22, wherein said major bracket pivots about a vertical axis over a range of about 130°

.

40. The suspension system of claim 20, 21 or 22, wherein said weight counterbalance assembly comprises two gas springs.

21. A suspension system used to support a video monitor or other equipment and provide for easy adjustment of its vertical position, comprising:

a. a major bracket;

b. a minor bracket;

c. a four bar linkage system that is of a low height profile, thereby taking up a minimum of vertical space, comprising;

(1) an angled arm with inner and outer straight portions joined by a curved portion and pivotally attached to said major bracket and said minor bracket;

(2) an inboard control linkage rod pivotally connected to said major bracket and to a center link on said curved portion; and

,

(3) an outboard control linkage rod pivotally connected to said center link and said minor bracket; and

,

d. a weight counterbalance assembly comprising;

(1) at least one gas spring with one end of said gas spring pivotally connected to a configured nut and the opposite end pivotally connected to said major bracket;

(2) a plate attached to said inner straight portion of said angled arm, said plate having an arced slot therein and said configured nut carrying a pivot pin which slidingly engages said arced slot in order to provide linear counterbalance force throughout the entire range of vertical adjustment; and

,

(3) a threaded adjustment rod that engages said configured nut and provides for positioning of said pivot pin carried by said configured nut along said arced slot in said plate.

22. A suspension system used to support a video monitor or other equipment and provide for easy adjustment of its vertical position, comprising:

a. a major bracket;

b. a minor bracket;

c. a four bar linkage system that is of a low height profile, thereby taking up a minimum of vertical space, comprising;

(1) an angled arm with inner and outer straight portions joined by a curved portion and pivotally attached to said major bracket and said minor bracket;

(2) an inboard control linkage rod pivotally connected to said major bracket and to a center link on said curved portion; and

,

(3) an outboard control linkage rod pivotally connected to said center link and said minor bracket; and

,

d. a weight counterbalance assembly that is not contained within said four bar linkage system, thereby allowing said four bar linkage system to be of said low height profile, comprising;

(1) at least one gas spring with one end of said gas spring pivotally connected to a configured nut and the opposite end pivotally connected to said major bracket;

(2) a plate attached to said inner straight portion of said angled arm said plate having an arced slot therein and said configured nut carrying a pivot pin which slidingly engages said arced slot in order to provide linear counterbalance force throughout the entire range of vertical adjustment; and

,

(3) a threaded adjustment rod that engages said configured nut and provides for positioning of said pivot pin carried by said configured nut along said arced slot in said plate.