Extension and retraction arrangements
First Claim
1. An extension and retraction arrangement for enabling an adjustment of a supported article from a retracted configuration to an extended configuration, the extension and retraction arrangement comprising:
- a trolley structure;
a support arm for retaining an article to be supported in relation to the trolley structure wherein the support arm has a proximal portion coupled to the trolley structure and a distal portion for coupling to the article to be supported;
an elongate support arrangement with a proximal end, a distal end, and a body portion wherein the elongate support arrangement comprises a first elongate support structure and a second elongate support structure disposed in spaced relation relative to the first elongate support structure wherein each of the first and second support structures has a dorsal side and a ventral side; and
a means for supporting the trolley structure for axial extension and retraction along the body portion of the elongate support arrangement from adjacent to the distal end to adjacent to the proximal end of the elongate support arrangement wherein the trolley structure is slidably associated with the first and second elongate support structures, wherein the proximal portion of the support arm is disposed inboard of the first and second elongate support structures, and wherein the trolley structure has first and second portions slidably associated with the first and second elongate support structures and a centrally disposed alcove that is recessed in a dorsoventral direction in relation to the first and second portions and that is recessed between the first and second elongate support structures and wherein the proximal portion of the support arm is coupled to the centrally disposed alcove of the trolley structure;
whereby the article to be supported and the trolley structure can be retained in a retracted configuration with the trolley structure disposed adjacent to the distal end of the elongate support arrangement and whereby the article and the trolley structure can be retained in an extended configuration with the trolley structure disposed adjacent to the proximal end of the elongate support arrangement.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An extension and retraction arrangement for retaining a supported article, such as a monitor, in relation to a trolley structure that is retained for axial extension and retraction in relation to an elongate support arrangement. A support arm, which can be unitary, articulated, pivoting, or non-pivoting, can be coupled to the trolley structure. The trolley structure can have a centrally disposed alcove disposed inboard of first and second rail members of the elongate support arrangement. A subsurface enclosure can retain the rail members, and first and second doors can selectively close an aperture in a framework coupled adjacent to an end of the subsurface enclosure. Constant force springs can assist travel of the trolley structure and an arcuate braking member or compressing spring can provide a braking effect to the trolley structure.
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Citations
33 Claims
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1. An extension and retraction arrangement for enabling an adjustment of a supported article from a retracted configuration to an extended configuration, the extension and retraction arrangement comprising:
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a trolley structure; a support arm for retaining an article to be supported in relation to the trolley structure wherein the support arm has a proximal portion coupled to the trolley structure and a distal portion for coupling to the article to be supported; an elongate support arrangement with a proximal end, a distal end, and a body portion wherein the elongate support arrangement comprises a first elongate support structure and a second elongate support structure disposed in spaced relation relative to the first elongate support structure wherein each of the first and second support structures has a dorsal side and a ventral side; and a means for supporting the trolley structure for axial extension and retraction along the body portion of the elongate support arrangement from adjacent to the distal end to adjacent to the proximal end of the elongate support arrangement wherein the trolley structure is slidably associated with the first and second elongate support structures, wherein the proximal portion of the support arm is disposed inboard of the first and second elongate support structures, and wherein the trolley structure has first and second portions slidably associated with the first and second elongate support structures and a centrally disposed alcove that is recessed in a dorsoventral direction in relation to the first and second portions and that is recessed between the first and second elongate support structures and wherein the proximal portion of the support arm is coupled to the centrally disposed alcove of the trolley structure; whereby the article to be supported and the trolley structure can be retained in a retracted configuration with the trolley structure disposed adjacent to the distal end of the elongate support arrangement and whereby the article and the trolley structure can be retained in an extended configuration with the trolley structure disposed adjacent to the proximal end of the elongate support arrangement. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. An extension and retraction arrangement for enabling an adjustment of a supported article from a retracted configuration to an extended configuration, the extension and retraction arrangement comprising:
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a trolley structure; a support arm for retaining an article to be supported in relation to the trolley structure wherein the support arm has a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a body portion; an elongate support arrangement with a proximal end, a distal end, and a body portion; a means for supporting the trolley structure for axial extension and retracting along the body portion of the elongate support arrangement from adjacent to the distal end to adjacent to the proximal end of the elongate support arrangement; a framework disposed adjacent to the proximal end of the elongate support arrangement wherein the framework has a centrally disposed aperture wherein the article to be supported projects through the aperture in the framework and the body portion of the support arm passes through the aperture in the framework when the trolley structure is disposed adjacent to the proximal end of the elongate support arrangement; and at least one door with an open position and a closed position for at least partially closing the aperture in the framework and an aperture in the at least one door for accommodating the body portion of the support arm and for enabling a closure of the at least one door not only while the trolley structure is in a retracted configuration but also while the trolley structure is in an extended configuration with the body portion of the support arm projecting through the aperture in the at least one door; whereby the article to be supported and the trolley structure can be retained in a retracted configuration with the trolley structure disposed adjacent to the distal end of the elongate support arrangement and whereby the article and the trolley structure can be retained in an extended configuration with the trolley structure disposed adjacent to the proximal end of the elongate support arrangement. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An extension and retraction arrangement for enabling an adjustment of a supported article from a retracted configuration to an extended configuration, the extension and retraction arrangement comprising:
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a trolley structure; a means for retaining an article to be supported in relation to the trolley structure; an elongate support arrangement with a proximal end, a distal end, and a body portion; a means for supporting the trolley structure for axial extension and retraction along the body portion of the elongate support arrangement from adjacent to the distal end to adjacent to the proximal end of the elongate support arrangement; a framework disposed adjacent to the proximal end of the elongate support arrangement wherein the framework has a centrally disposed aperture wherein the article to be supported projects at least partially through the aperture in the framework when the trolley structure is disposed adjacent to the proximal end of the elongate support arrangement; at least one door with an open position and a closed position for at least partially closing the aperture in the framework; a means for enabling a selective locking of the at least one door in a closed position; and a subsurface enclosure with an open inner volume wherein the elongate support arrangement is disposed within the subsurface enclosure whereby the trolley structure and the article to be supported can be retained within the open inner volume of the subsurface enclosure when the article to be supported and the trolley structure are in a retracted configuration; whereby the article to be supported and the trolley structure can be retained in a retracted configuration with the trolley structure disposed adjacent to the distal end of the elongate support arrangement and whereby the article and the trolley structure can be retained in an extended configuration with the trolley structure disposed adjacent to the proximal end of the elongate support arrangement. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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15. An extension and retraction arrangement for enabling an adjustment of a supported article from a retracted configuration to an extended configuration, the extension and retraction arrangement comprising:
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a trolley structure; a means for retaining an article to be supported in relation to the trolley structure; an elongate support arrangement with a proximal end, a distal end, and a body portion; a means for supporting the trolley structure for axial extension and retraction along the body portion of the elongate support arrangement from adjacent to the distal end to adjacent to the proximal end of the elongate support arrangement; and a means for providing a braking effect on the trolley structure in relation to the elongate support arrangement and a means for adjusting the braking effect provided by the means for providing a braking effect wherein the means for providing a braking effect comprises a flexible arcuate braking member retained for creating a frictional engagement between the trolley structure and a frame structure disposed adjacent to an end of the elongate support arrangement and wherein the means for adjusting the braking effect provided by the means for providing a braking effect comprises a threaded member operably associated with the arcuate braking member for adjusting a braking force exhibited by the arcuate braking member; whereby the article to be supported and the trolley structure can be retained in a retracted configuration with the trolley structure disposed adjacent to the distal end of the elongate support arrangement and whereby the article and the trolley structure can be retained in an extended configuration with the trolley structure disposed adjacent to the proximal end of the elongate support arrangement, whereby the frame structure has a centrally disposed aperture for the means for retaining an article to extend outwardly thereof for displaying the article.
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16. An extension and retraction arrangement for enabling an adjustment of a supported article from a retracted configuration to an extended configuration, the extension and retraction arrangement comprising:
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a trolley structure; a means for retaining an article to be supported in relation to the trolley structure; an elongate support arrangement with a proximal end, a distal end, and a body portion; a means for supporting the trolley structure for axial extension and retraction along the body portion of the elongate support arrangement from adjacent to the distal end to adjacent to the proximal end of the elongate support arrangement; and a means for providing a braking effect on the trolley structure in relation to the elongate support arrangement and a means for adjusting the braking effect provided by the means for providing a braking effect wherein the means for providing a braking effect comprises a compression spring for being interposed between the trolley structure and a frame structure disposed adjacent to an end of the elongate support arrangement; whereby the article to be supported and the trolley structure can be retained in a retracted configuration with the trolley structure disposed adjacent to the distal end of the elongate support arrangement and whereby the article and the trolley structure can be retained in an extended configuration with the trolley structure disposed adjacent to the proximal end of the elongate support arrangement, whereby the frame structure has a centrally disposed aperture for the means for retaining an article to extend outwardly thereof for displaying the article. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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20. An extension and retraction arrangement for enabling an adjustment of a supported article from a retracted configuration to an extended configuration, the extension and retraction arrangement comprising:
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a trolley structure; a means for retaining an article to be supported in relation to the trolley structure wherein the article is a flat screen monitor; an elongate support arrangement with a proximal end, a distal end, and a body portion; a means for supporting the trolley structure for axial extension and retraction along the body portion of the elongate support arrangement from adjacent to the distal end to adjacent to the proximal end of the elongate support arrangement; a subsurface enclosure with an open inner volume wherein the elongate support arrangement is disposed within the subsurface enclosure and further comprising; a means for retaining a computer central processing unit within the subsurface enclosure, including during axial extension of the trolley structure; and a computer drive unit retained adjacent to the proximal end of the elongate support arrangement; whereby the article to be supported and the trolley structure can be retained in a retracted configuration with the trolley structure disposed adjacent to the distal end of the elongate support arrangement and whereby the article and the trolley structure can be retained in an extended configuration with the trolley structure disposed adjacent to the proximal end of the elongate support arrangement. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. An extension and retraction arrangement for enabling an adjustment of a supported article from a retracted configuration to an extended configuration, the extension and retraction arrangement comprising:
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a trolley structure; a means for retaining an article to be supported in relation to the trolley structure; an elongate support arrangement with a proximal end, a distal end, and a body portion; a means for supporting the trolley structure for axial extension and retraction along the body portion of the elongate support arrangement from adjacent to the distal end to adjacent to the proximal end of the elongate support arrangement; and a subsurface enclosure with an open inner volume wherein the elongate support arrangement is disposed within the subsurface enclosure whereby the trolley structure and the article to be supported can be retained within the open inner volume of the subsurface enclosure when the article to be supported and the trolley structure are in a retracted configuration wherein the subsurface enclosure has a T-shaped cross section wherein the elongate support arrangement and the trolley structure are substantially disposed in a base portion of the T-shape and wherein a head portion of the T-shape is provided for slidably housing the article to be supported; whereby the article to be supported and the trolley structure can be retained in a retracted configuration with the trolley structure disposed adjacent to the distal end of the elongate support arrangement and whereby the article and the trolley structure can be retained in an extended configuration with the trolley structure disposed adjacent to the proximal end of the elongate support arrangement.
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27. An extension and retraction arrangement comprising:
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a trolley structure; a support arm with a proximal portion coupled to the trolley structure and a distal portion for retaining an article to be supported; an elongate support arrangement with a proximal end, a distal end, and a body portion; a subsurface enclosure with an open inner volume, a proximal portion, and a distal portion wherein the elongate support arrangement is disposed within the subsurface enclosure whereby the trolley structure and the article to be supported can be retained within the open inner volume of the subsurface enclosure when the article to be supported and the trolley structure are in a retracted configuration; a means for supporting the trolley structure for axial extension and retraction along the body portion of the elongate support arrangement from adjacent to the distal end to adjacent to the proximal end of the elongate support arrangement; a framework disposed adjacent to the proximal end of the elongate support arrangement wherein the framework has a centrally disposed aperture; a keyboard cradle for retaining a keyboard in relation to the trolley structure; and whereby the article to be supported and the trolley structure can be retained in a retracted configuration with the trolley structure disposed adjacent to the distal end of the elongate support arrangement and whereby the article and the trolley structure can be retained in an extended configuration with the trolley structure disposed adjacent to the proximal end of the elongate support arrangement and with the article to be supported projecting at least partially through the aperture in the framework, therein the support arm extends through the aperture of the framework for displaying the article. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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Specification