Apparatus for mounting a plurality of monitors having adjustable distance to a viewer

• US 8,596,599 B1
• Filed: 01/31/2011
• Issued: 12/03/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Xybix Systems, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Xybix Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Carson, Barry, Carson, David R., Carson, Kenneth R.
• Primary Examiner(s): STERLING, AMY JO
• Application Number:
  US13/018,308
• Time in Patent Office: 1,037 Days
• Field of Search: 248917-923, 248/429, 248/298.1, 211/26
• US Class Current: 248/429
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0235 of flat type, e.g. LCD
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/041 Allowing quick release of the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/14 with ball-joint ball-jointed hinges F16C11/06 ; adjustable mountings employing universal joints for lighting devices F21V21/26 - F21V21/30
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/2085 comprising means allowing sideward adjustment, i.e. left-right translation of the head relatively to the undercarriage
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/02 for supporting on, or attaching to, an object, e.g. tree, gate, window-frame, cycle
• 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: Y10S 248/917 Video display screen support
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/919 Adjustably orientable video screen support
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/92 Angular and linear video display screen support adjustment
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/921 Plural angular

Abstract

An apparatus and method for mounting a plurality of display monitors is disclosed, wherein the apparatus is provided at a user'"'"'s desk or workstation. The apparatus can be easily moved toward and away from the user such that all the monitors mounted on the apparatus move in unison in the direction indicated by the user. Accordingly, the apparatus accommodates the visual preferences of virtually all users of the desk or workstation so that eye and skeletal muscle fatigue are reduced.

Claims

1. A computer monitor mounting apparatus for mounting a plurality of monitors, comprising:

a plurality of monitors;

a platform having at least one guide attached thereto, wherein the guide also contacts an upwardly facing surface so that the guide maintains the platform on a predetermined path along the upwardly facing surface when the platform moves on the upwardly facing surface, the platform including a plurality of spaced apart subplatforms;

a frame extending above the platform and attached thereto for moving with the platform when the platform moves along the predetermined path, the frame providing mountings supporting the plurality of the monitors above the platform;

wherein the guide includes portions that move relative to one another within a space between the upwardly facing surface and the subplatforms;

one or more wheels or rollers for rolling the platform on the upwardly facing surface, wherein the wheels or rollers move over the upwardly facing surface for at least a portion of a travel extent for the wheels or rollers, each wheel or roller having an extent that rotatably contacts the upwardly facing surface when the platform moves along the predetermined path;

a connector for connecting the subplatforms together, wherein the connector provides an interior that is;

(i) between at least two of the subplatforms, and (ii) between an upper boundary of the interior and the upwardly facing surface; and

wherein the interior provides storage space on the upwardly facing surface, the interior having a height above the upwardly facing surface of at least three times a height of the space between the upwardly facing surface and the subplatforms, wherein the interior is effective for storing one or more items without interfering with movement of the platform on the predetermined path.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one guide includes a portion that is fixedly attached to the upwardly facing surface.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one guide telescopes during movement of the monitor mounting apparatus over the upwardly facing surface.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one guide retracts and extends during movement of the monitor mounting apparatus over the upwardly facing surface.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the platform has a range of movement along the predetermined path of at least 13 inches.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the platform has a range of movement along the predetermined path of less than 20 inches.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the mountings includes a predetermined monitor mount hole pattern.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein for each monitor of at least some of the monitors, a corresponding one of the mountings attaches the monitor to a horizontal rail of the frame, wherein the corresponding mounting provides a horizontal range of rotation of at least 60 degrees for the monitor.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the monitors are provided along an arc of the frame such that for a corresponding display for each of at least two-thirds of the monitors, and for at least one position facing the displays, a distance between:

(i) the at least one position, and

(ii) a center of the corresponding display,

varies by no more than about 5% from a distance between the at least one position and a center of the corresponding display for each of the other monitors of the at least two-thirds of the monitors.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the frame includes at least one substantially horizontal rail wherein at least one of the mountings is horizontally slidable along the rail.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the frame includes a substantially horizontal rail for supporting at least one of the mountings thereon, and further including an adjustment plate for providing a vertical adjustment of the mounting on the rail, the plate secured between the rail and the at least one mounting, the plate secured separately to each of the rail and the at least one mounting.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the mountings includes a first rotational member, wherein when a corresponding one of the monitors is attached to the at least one mounting, the first rotational member provides a first rotation range for the corresponding monitor.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the upwardly facing surface includes a substantially horizontal desktop.