Pivot assembly and support system

• US 6,419,196 B1
• Filed: 01/20/2000
• Issued: 07/16/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ergotron Incorporated (Melrose Industries Plc)
• Original Assignee: Ergotron Incorporated (Melrose Industries Plc)
• Inventors: Voeller, Donald M., Nistler, Steve A., Scheller, Dennis M., Sweere, Harry C.
• Primary Examiner(s): King, Anita
• Assistant Examiner(s): MORRISON, NASCHICA SANDERS
• Application Number:
  US09/487,611
• Time in Patent Office: 908 Days
• Field of Search: 248/276.1, 248/278.1, 248/280.11, 248/281.11, 248/284.1, 248/912, 248/919, 248/920, 248/921, 248/922, 248/923, 248/918, 248/292.11, 248/292.12, 248/292.13
• US Class Current: 248/276.1
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 21/00 Tables or desks for office equipment, e.g. typewriters, keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 21/0314 Platforms for supporting office equipment
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/0069 with rack
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/10 around a horizontal axis F16M11/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/105 the horizontal axis being the roll axis, e.g. for creating a landscape-portrait rotation
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/2021 around a horizontal axis F16M11/2035 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/2064 for tilting and panning F16M11/2078 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/22 with approximately constant height, e.g. with constant length of column or of legs F16M11/42 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 11/42 with arrangement for propelling the support stands on wheels
• 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 13/02 for supporting on, or attaching to, an object, e.g. tree, gate, window-frame, cycle
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/021 for rotational movement
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/024 by positive interaction, e.g. male-female connections
• 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: G06F 1/1601 Constructional details related to the housing of computer displays, e.g. of CRT monitors, of flat displays constructional details related to flat displays integrated in a portable computer, e.g. laptop, handheld computer G06F1/1637; constructional details related to television receivers H04N5/64
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1612 Flat panel monitor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/918 Ancillary device support associated with a video display screen
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/92 Angular and linear video display screen support adjustment
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/921 : Plural angular
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/923 : Tilting

Abstract

Multi-jointed and pivoted mounting systems for support of a flat panel video display and/or keyboard tray, incorporating a plurality of pivot points providing for pivotal motion of one or more components about a plurality of vertical and horizontal axes. Support arms having elevational pivot assemblies, including plastic friction washers and gas springs, offer elevational arm control requiring constant and predetermined positioning effort on the part of the video display operator and keyboard operator.

Claims

1. A component support system comprising:

an arm having a proximal end and a distal end;

a number of pivot joints coupled to the arm, at least one of the number of pivot joints comprising;

a first pivot surface;

a second pivot surface;

a polymer insert between the first and second pivot surfaces;

a fastening assembly defining a pivot axis, and coupling the first pivot surface, the

polymer insert, and the second pivot surface together;

a component support surface coupled to the distal end of the arm;

a mounting surface coupled to the proximal end of the arm;

an adjustable spring mount coupled to the proximal end of the arm, the spring mount having an adjustable load counterbalance mechanism that determines an adjustable counterbalance force in a proximal end rotation range about an

elevational rotation axis, the rotation range including;

a first position substantially proximate to a wall;

a second position substantially normal to the wall;

a third position past normal; and

a spring attached at a first spring end to the adjustable spring mount, and a second spring end attached to the arm at or behind the distal end of the arm, and the spring provides a countering force to rotation of the arm through the proximal end rotation range.

2. The component support system of claim 1, wherein the polymer comprises ultra high molecular weight polyethylene.

3. The component support system of claim 1, wherein the polymer exhibits a static coefficient of friction and a dynamic coefficient of friction that are substantially the same.

4. The component support system of claim 1, wherein the fastening assembly comprises a bolt and a nut.

5. The component support system of claim 1, wherein the fastening assembly comprises a rivet.

6. The component support system of claim 1, wherein one of the number of pivot joints comprises an elevational pivot joint coupled to the proximal end of the arm.

7. The component support system of claim 1, wherein the adjustable counterbalance force is adjusted by varying a slide position of the load counterbalance mechanism along a linear range of motion.

8. The component support system of claim 7, wherein the adjustable spring mount comprises:

a frame, the frame defining the linear range of motion;

a cylindrical threaded member having an axis of rotation, the member being fixed in the frame parallel to the linear range of motion, and free to rotate about its axis of rotation;

an attachment block, having a threaded through-hole engaged by the cylindrical threaded member, the block position along the linear range of motion being determined by rotation of the cylindrical threaded member; and

a spring receptor connected to the attachment block.

9. A method of supporting a component comprising:

attaching a mounting surface to a foundation;

coupling a proximal end of an arm to the mounting surface;

joining a component support surface to a distal end of the arm, comprising;

placing a first pivot surface adjacent to a first polymer insert;

placing a second pivot surface adjacent to the first polymer insert such that the

first polymer insert is between the first and second pivot surfaces;

fastening the first pivot surface, the first polymer insert, and the second pivot

surface together with a first fastening assembly; and

mounting a component to the component support surface;

coupling an adjustable spring mount to the proximal end of the arm, the spring mount having an adjustable load counterbalance mechanism that determines an adjustable counterbalance force in a proximal end rotation range about an elevational rotation axis, the rotation range including;

a first position substantially proximate to a wall;

a second position substantially normal to the wall;

a third position past normal; and

;

attaching a first end of a spring to the adjustable spring mount; and

attaching a second end of the spring to the arm at or behind the distal end of the arm.

10. The method of supporting a component of claim 9, wherein placing the first pivot surface adjacent to the first polymer insert comprises placing the first pivot surface adjacent to an ultra high molecular weight polyethylene insert, and placing the second pivot surface adjacent to the first polymer insert comprises placing the second pivot surface adjacent to the ultra high molecular weight polyethylene insert.

11. The method of supporting a component of claim 9, wherein coupling the proximal end of the arm to the mounting surface comprises:

coupling an elevational joint to the mounting surface; and

attaching the proximal end of the arm to the elevational joint, such that the arm is free to rotate up and down about an elevational pivot axis.

12. The method of supporting a component of claim 11, wherein coupling the elevational joint to the mounting surface comprises:

placing a third pivot surface adjacent to a second polymer insert;

placing a fourth pivot surface adjacent to the second polymer insert such that the second polymer insert is between the third and fourth pivot surfaces;

fastening the third pivot surface, the second polymer insert, and the fourth pivot surface together with a second fastening assembly.

13. The method of supporting a component of claim 9, further comprising adjusting the load counterbalance mechanism of the adjustable spring mount to a position such that a spring force of the spring counters a moment of the component about the proximal end rotation range.

14. The method of supporting a component of claim 9, wherein coupling the adjustable spring mount to the proximal end of the arm comprises positioning the adjustable spring mount such that the adjustable counterbalance force of the adjustable spring mount changes with rotation of the arm about an elevational pivot axis and a spring force of the spring only provides as much force as is necessary to counter a varying moment of the component about the elevational pivot axis.

15. A component support system comprising:

an arm having a proximal end and a distal end;

a number of pivot joints coupled to the arm;

a component support surface coupled to the distal end of the arm;

a mounting surface coupled to the proximal end of the arm;

an adjustable spring mount coupled to the proximal end of the arm, the spring mount having an adjustable load counterbalance mechanism that determines an adjustable counterbalance force in a proximal end rotation range about an elevational rotation axis the rotation range including;

a first position substantially proximate to a wall;

a second position substantially normal to the wall;

a third position past normal; and

a spring attached at a first spring end to the adjustable spring mount, and a second spring end attached to the arm at or behind the distal end of the arm, and the spring provides a countering force to rotation of the arm through the proximal end rotation range.

16. The component support system of claim 15, wherein the adjustable counterbalance force is adjusted by varying a slide position of the load counterbalance mechanism along a linear range of motion.

17. A component support system comprising:

an arm having a proximal end and a distal end;

a number of pivot joints coupled to the arm;

a component support surface coupled to the distal end of the arm;

a vertical wall mounting surface coupled to the proximal end of the arm;

an adjustable spring mount coupled to the proximal end of the arm, the spring mount having an adjustable load counterbalance mechanism that determines an adjustable counterbalance force in a proximal end rotation range of approximately 180 degrees;

a spring attached at a first spring end to the adjustable spring mount, and a second spring end attached to the arm at or behind the distal end of the arm, and the spring provides a countering force to rotation of the arm through the proximal end rotation range.

18. A component support system comprising:

an arm having a proximal end and a distal end;

an elevational pivot joint coupled to the proximal end of the arm, the elevational joint including a polymer friction washer;

a vertical wall mounting surface coupled to the elevational pivot joint;

a component mount joint coupled to the distal end of the arm allowing motion in at least one rotational degree of freedom, the component mount joint including a polymer friction washer;

a component support surface coupled to the component mount joint;

an adjustable spring mount coupled to the mounting surface, the spring mount having an adjustable load counterbalance mechanism that determines an adjustable counterbalance force about the elevational joint through an elevational rotation range about an elevational rotation axis of the elevational pivot joint including;

a first position substantially proximate to a wall;

a second position substantially normal to the wall;

a third position past normal; and

a spring attached at a first spring end to the adjustable spring mount, and a second spring end attached to the arm at or behind the distal end of the arm, and the spring provides a countering force to rotation of the arm through the arm range of motion.