Cam balance mechanism systems and methods

• US 8,967,560 B2
• Filed: 07/26/2011
• Issued: 03/03/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 07/30/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ergotron Incorporated (Melrose Industries Plc)
• Original Assignee: Ergotron Incorporated (Melrose Industries Plc)
• Inventors: Ergun, Mustafa A., Fluhrer, Robert W., Wong, Thiem, Asamarai, Saeb, Cain, John
• Primary Examiner(s): McKinnon, Terrell
• Assistant Examiner(s): MCNICHOLS, ERET C
• Application Number:
  US13/191,182
• Publication Number:
  US 20120187256A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,316 Days
• Field of Search: 248/123.11, 248/281.11, 248/919, 248/920, 248/562, 248/566, 248/572, 248/575, 248/577, 248/584, 248/600, 248/161, 248/162.1, 248/332, 248/404, 248/422, 108/147
• US Class Current: 248/161
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 17/02 with vertically-adjustable parts
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 21/0073 liftable above the desk top
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 21/02 with vertical adjustable parts
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 21/0314 Platforms for supporting office equipment
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 9/02 with balancing device, e.g. by springs, by weight
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 9/12 with flexible height-adjusting means, e.g. rope, chain
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/00 Apparatus or devices for radiation diagnosis; Apparatus or devices for radiation diagnosis combined with radiation therapy equipment instruments measuring radiation intensity for application in the field of nuclear medicine, e.g. in vivo counting, G01T1/161; apparatus for taking X-ray photographs G03B42/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/08 Auxiliary means for directing the radiation beam to a particular spot, e.g. using light beams
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/00 Stands or trestles as supports for apparatus or articles placed thereon ; Stands for scientific apparatus such as gravitational force meters without heads F16M13/00; easels or stands for blackboards or the like A47B97/04; show-stands A47F7/00; for workmen E04G1/32; sockets or holders for poles or posts E04H12/22; supporting or suspending for lighting devices F21V21/00
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/04 Means for attachment of apparatus; Means allowing adjustment of the apparatus relatively to the stand
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/046 adapted to upward-downward translation movement
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/2021 around a horizontal axis F16M11/2035 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 13/022 repositionable
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/048 for balancing translational movement of the undercarriage

Abstract

Embodiments include a balance mechanism having a first cam and a second cam configured to convert a variable force exerted by the energy storage member into a substantially constant force applied to a mounting portion. The balance mechanism may be useful for balancing forces such that a user can set the height of an electronic display and/or other equipment attached to the balance mechanism at a number of heights within the range of travel allowed by the mechanism. Lift mechanisms, display positioning apparatuses, and height adjustable desks incorporating a multi-cam balance mechanism are also provided. A method of positioning a display is also provided.

Claims

1. A lift mechanism, comprising:

a base;

a support column coupled to the base;

a mounting portion movably coupled to the support column;

an energy storage member coupled to the support column; and

a balance mechanism coupled between the energy storage member and the mounting portion, the balance mechanism comprising;

a first cam having a profile of radius variation as a function of rotation,

a second cam rotationally fixed to the first cam, wherein the second cam is a mirror image of the first cam, and wherein the second cam has the same profile of radius variation as a function of rotation as the first cam, and

a wheel rotationally coupled to the first cam and the second cam, wherein the first cam and the second cam are configured to convert a variable force exerted by the energy storage member into a substantially constant force applied to the mounting portion.

2. The lift mechanism of claim 1, wherein the first cam, the second cam and the wheel are coaxially mounted to the base.

3. The lift mechanism of claim 1, further comprising a cam member comprising the first cam and the second cam.

4. The lift mechanism of claim 1, wherein the first cam and the second cam each comprise a cam surface that winds about the axis of rotation, and wherein the radius of each of the first cam and the second cam decreases as the cam surface winds between a perimeter of the cam and the rotational axis of the cam, wherein the decreasing radius is configured to match a variable force profile of the energy storage member.

5. The lift mechanism of claim 1, wherein the balance mechanism further comprises a pulley system, the pulley system comprising a first cam pulley and a second cam pulley that route one or more flexible elements between the first and the second cams and the energy storage member.

6. The lift mechanism of claim 5, wherein the pulley system further comprises an energy storage member pulley, wherein the first cam pulley, the second cam pulley, and the energy storage member pulley are rotationally coupled, further comprising at least one flexible element coupling the first cam pulley to the first cam and the second cam pulley to the second cam, and further comprising at least one additional flexible element coupling the energy storage member pulley with the energy storage member.

7. The lift mechanism of claim 6, wherein the first cam pulley, the second cam pulley and the energy storage member pulley are integrally formed.

8. The lift mechanism of claim 6, wherein the at least one flexible element coupling the first cam pulley to the first cam and the second cam pulley to the second cam comprises a first flexible element coupling the first cam pulley to the first cam and a second flexible element coupling the second cam pulley to the second cam.

9. The lift mechanism of claim 5, wherein the one or more flexible elements comprises a first flexible element coupled between the first cam and the energy storage member and a second flexible element coupled between the second cam and the energy storage member.

10. The lift mechanism of claim 9, wherein the energy storage member comprises a first extension spring and a second extension spring, and wherein the first flexible element couples to the first extension spring to the first cam and the second flexible element couples the second extension spring to the second cam.

11. The lift mechanism of claim 5, wherein the first cam receives about half of the variable force exerted by the energy storage member on the first cam pulley and the second cam receives about half of the variable force exerted by the energy storage member on the second cam pulley.

12. The lift mechanism of claim 1, wherein the mounting portion comprises a tubular configuration that fits about the support column.

13. The lift mechanism of claim 1, wherein the support column comprises a first tube and the mounting portion comprises a second tube in sliding engagement with the first tube.

14. The lift mechanism of claim 13, wherein the first tube is an outer tube and the second tube is an inner tube received within the outer tube.

15. The lift mechanism of claim 1, further comprising an adjustment mechanism configured to adjust a tension of the energy storage member.

16. The lift mechanism of claim 1, further comprising a brake mechanism coupled to the support column and configured to hold a position of the mounting portion relative to the support column.

17. A display positioning apparatus comprising:

a base;

a support column coupled to the base;

a mounting portion movably coupled to the support column, the mounting portion comprising a display mount for attaching an electronic display;

an energy storage member coupled to the support column; and

a balance mechanism coupled between the energy storage member and the mounting portion, the balance mechanism comprising;

a first cam having a profile of radius variation as a function of rotation,

a second cam rotationally fixed to the first cam, wherein the second cam is a mirror image of the first cam, and wherein the second cam has the same profile of radius variation as a function of rotation as the first cam, and

a wheel rotationally coupled to the first cam and the second cam, wherein the first cam, the second cam and the wheel are coaxially mounted to the base and the first cam and the second cam are configured to convert a variable force exerted by the energy storage member into a substantially constant force applied to the mounting portion.

18. The display positioning apparatus of claim 17, further comprising a cam member comprising the first cam and the second cam.

19. The display positioning apparatus of claim 17, wherein the first cam and the second cam each comprise an axis of rotation and a cam surface that winds about the axis of rotation, and wherein the radius of each of the first cam and the second cam decreases as the cam surface winds between a perimeter of the cam and the rotational axis of the cam, wherein the decreasing radius is configured to match a variable force profile of the energy storage member.

20. The display positioning apparatus of claim 17, wherein the balance mechanism further comprises a pulley system, the pulley system comprising a first cam pulley, a second cam pulley, and an energy storage member pulley, wherein the first cam pulley, the second cam pulley, and the energy storage member pulley are integrally formed about a single axis of rotation.

21. The display positioning apparatus of claim 17, wherein the mounting portion further comprises a keyboard tray configured to support a keyboard.

22. The display positioning apparatus of claim 21, wherein the mounting portion comprises a second lift mechanism configured to move the display mount vertically relative to the keyboard tray.

23. The display positioning apparatus of claim 17, wherein the mounting portion comprises at least one of a mouse tray, a document holder, a movable work surface, and a telephone holder.

24. The display positioning apparatus of claim 17, wherein the mounting portion comprises a plurality of display mounts for attaching a corresponding plurality of electronic displays to the mounting portion.

25. The display positioning apparatus of claim 24, wherein at least one of the plurality of display mounts further comprises a tilt mechanism and/or a rotation mechanism.

26. The display positioning apparatus of claim 17, wherein the mounting portion comprises a notebook tray and/or a notebook docking station.

27. A height adjustable desk, comprising:

a base;

a work surface; and

at least one lift mechanism coupled between the base and the work surface, the at least one lift mechanism comprising;

a support column coupled to the base,

a mounting portion movably coupled to the support column and fixedly coupled to the work surface,

an energy storage member coupled to the support column, and

a balance mechanism coupled between the energy storage member and the mounting portion, the balance mechanism comprising;

a first cam having a profile of radius variation as a function of rotation,

a second cam rotationally fixed to the first cam, wherein the second cam is a mirror image of the first cam, and wherein the second cam has the same profile of radius variation as a function of rotation as the first cam, and

a wheel rotationally coupled to the first cam and the second cam, wherein the first cam and the second cam are configured to convert a variable force exerted by the energy storage member into a substantially constant force applied to the mounting portion.

28. The height adjustable desk of claim 27, further comprising a cam member comprising the first cam and the second cam.

29. The height adjustable desk of claim 28, wherein the cam member comprises an axis of rotation and the first cam and the second cam are symmetrically formed about a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation.

30. The height adjustable desk of claim 27, wherein the first cam and the second cam each comprise an axis of rotation and a cam surface that winds about the axis of rotation, and wherein the radius of each of the first cam and the second cam decreases as the cam surface winds between a perimeter of the cam and the rotational axis of the cam, wherein the decreasing radius is configured to match a variable force profile of the energy storage member.

31. The height adjustable desk of claim 27, wherein the balance mechanism further comprises a pulley system, the pulley system comprising a first cam pulley, a second cam pulley, and an energy storage member pulley, wherein the first cam pulley, the second cam pulley, and the energy storage member pulley are integrally formed about a single axis of rotation.

32. The height adjustable desk of claim 27, wherein the mounting portion is fixedly coupled to the work surface proximate an edge of the work surface.

33. The height adjustable desk of claim 27, wherein the mounting portion is fixedly coupled to the work surface proximate a center of the work surface.

34. The height adjustable desk of claim 33, wherein the support column comprises a first tube and the mounting portion comprises a second tube in sliding engagement with the first tube.

35. The height adjustable desk of claim 27, wherein the at least one lift mechanism comprises a first lift mechanism and a second lift mechanism.

36. A method of positioning a display, comprising:

assisting a lifting of the display within a vertical range of travel with a variable force exerted by an energy storage member; and

converting the variable force exerted by the energy storage member into a substantially constant force applied to the display with a balance mechanism comprising;

a first cam having a profile of radius variation as a function of rotation,

a second cam rotationally fixed to the first cam, wherein the second cam is a mirror image of the first cam, and wherein the second cam has the same profile of radius variation as a function of rotation as the first cam, and

a wheel rotationally coupled to the first cam and the second cam, wherein the first cam and the second cam are configured to convert the variable force exerted by the energy storage member into the substantially constant force applied to the display.

37. The method of claim 36, further comprising:

resisting a lowering of the display with an additional variable force exerted by the energy storage member, the first cam and the second cam configured to convert the additional variable force exerted by the energy storage member into a substantially constant force applied to the display.

38. The method of claim 36, further comprising:

-maintaining a position of the display within the vertical range of travel with the balance mechanism and the energy storage member.

39. The method of claim 36, wherein lifting the display comprises moving a mounting portion relative to a support column.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein moving the mounting portion relative to the support column comprises moving an inner tube within and relative to an outer tube.

41. The method of claim 36, wherein lifting the display comprises moving a movable work surface relative to a support column.