Tilter apparatus for electronic device having bias assembly

• US 7,806,378 B2
• Filed: 11/24/2008
• Issued: 10/05/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Innovative Office Products, LLC (IOP Holdings LLC)
• Original Assignee: Innovative Office Products, Inc. (IOP Holdings LLC)
• Inventors: Oddsen, Odd N. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): STERLING, AMY JO
• Application Number:
  US12/313,723
• Publication Number:
  US 20090078841A1
• Time in Patent Office: 680 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 248/280.11
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/10 around a horizontal axis F16M11/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/2014 around a vertical axis F16M11/2035 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/2092 comprising means allowing depth adjustment, i.e. forward-backward translation of the head relatively to the undercarriage
• 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 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: Y10S 248/917 Video display screen support
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/923 Tilting

Abstract

A tilter assembly is provided for positioning an electronic device such as a flat panel display. The tilter assembly includes a tilter shaft holder having an opening aligned along an axis and a shaft received within the opening. The shaft is rotatable about the axis, and may be coupled to a support. The tilter shaft holder is coupled to the electronic device. The tilter assembly also includes a torsion spring device in operative association with the shaft to provide a bias or counterbalance to the electronic device, thereby preventing undesired rotation about the axis.

Claims

1. A tilting device for adjustably mounting an electronic device, comprising:

a tilter shaft holder having an opening aligned along an axis;

a shaft received within the opening, the tilter shaft holder being rotatable about the axis and rotatable relative to the shaft;

an arm mount coupled to the shaft and adapted to engage a support;

means for coupling the tilting device to the electronic device;

a tilter arm having a first end coupled to the shaft and a second end remote from the first end;

a spring positioned in operative engagement between the tilter arm and the means for coupling, wherein the spring provides counterbalance to the electronic device and restricts rotation of the electronic device and the tilter shaft holder relative to the shaft and the arm mount;

a bushing received within the opening of the tilter shaft holder, the bushing receiving the shaft therein; and

a set screw adapted to threadedly engage the tilter shaft holder for restricting rotation of the tilting device about the axis;

wherein the tilter shaft holder and the bushing each have a slot disposed along the axis, and when the set screw fully engages the tilter shaft holder both the tilter shaft holder slot and the bushing slot are compressible to restrict rotation about the axis.

2. The tilting device of claim 1, wherein the spring comprises a plurality of springs.

3. The tilting device of claim 2, wherein at least a first one of the plurality of springs is removable from the tilting device while at least a second one of the plurality of springs remains positioned in operative engagement between the tilter arm and the means for coupling, thereby adjusting the counterbalance for the electronic device.

4. The tilting device of claim 1, wherein the tilter shaft holder comprises a pair of tilter shaft holders and the bushing includes a pair of bushings, the pair of bushings received within the pair of tilter shaft holders.

5. The tilting device of claim 1, wherein the opening of the tilter shaft holder is substantially cylindrical.

6. The tilting device of claim 1, wherein the support is a forearm extension.

7. The tilting device of claim 1, wherein the arm mount is inserted through the shaft substantially perpendicular to the axis.

8. The tilting device of claim 1, wherein the tilter shaft holder slot extends the entire length of the tilter shaft holder.

9. The tilting device of claim 1, wherein the bushing slot extends the entire length of the bushing.

10. The tilting device of claim 1, further comprising a retaining ring adapted to engage an end of the bushing and to prevent movement of the bushing along the axis.

11. The tilting device of claim 10, further comprising a cap engaging an end of the tilter shaft holder and covering the retaining ring and the bushing.

12. The tilting device of claim 1, wherein the second end of the tilter arm is angled so that the tilter arm does not interfere with the movement of the spring.

13. The tilting device of claim 12, wherein the second end of the tilter arm is J-shaped.