COUNTERBALANCING LIFT MECHANISMS AND METHODS
First Claim
1. A counterbalancing lift mechanism for raising and lowering an electronic display, comprising:
- a support bracket configured to be coupled to a support member;
a moving bracket configured to be coupled to an electronic display;
a sliding mechanism coupled between the support bracket and the moving bracket, providing the moving bracket with a range of travel relative to the support bracket including a low position and a high position;
a spring assembly mounted to the moving bracket, the spring assembly configured to generate a first force for countering a second force corresponding to a weight of the electronic display coupled to the moving bracket, the spring assembly having a first end coupled to the moving bracket and a second end that moves through a range of deflection as the moving bracket moves through the range of travel;
a transition assembly configured to deflect the spring assembly a shorter length than the length of a corresponding movement of the moving bracket along the range of travel;
a cam assembly comprising a cam and a wheel; and
a plurality of cables operatively coupling the moving bracket to the support bracket in combination with the spring assembly, the transition assembly, and the cam assembly.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Embodiments provide a counterbalancing lift mechanism for raising and lowering an electronic display. The lift mechanism includes a moving bracket in sliding engagement with a support bracket. As the moving bracket moves relative to the support bracket, a spring assembly deflects to provide a force to offset the weight of the load. A transition assembly manages the deflection of the spring assembly relative to movement of the moving bracket such that the necessary range of deflection is shorter than the moving bracket'"'"'s desired range of travel. The lift mechanism also includes a cam assembly to convert the variable force from the spring assembly to a substantially constant force. In some cases the spring assembly, transition assembly, and cam assembly are all mounted to the moving bracket and move with the display. Methods for positioning an electronic display are also provided.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A counterbalancing lift mechanism for raising and lowering an electronic display, comprising:
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a support bracket configured to be coupled to a support member; a moving bracket configured to be coupled to an electronic display; a sliding mechanism coupled between the support bracket and the moving bracket, providing the moving bracket with a range of travel relative to the support bracket including a low position and a high position; a spring assembly mounted to the moving bracket, the spring assembly configured to generate a first force for countering a second force corresponding to a weight of the electronic display coupled to the moving bracket, the spring assembly having a first end coupled to the moving bracket and a second end that moves through a range of deflection as the moving bracket moves through the range of travel; a transition assembly configured to deflect the spring assembly a shorter length than the length of a corresponding movement of the moving bracket along the range of travel; a cam assembly comprising a cam and a wheel; and a plurality of cables operatively coupling the moving bracket to the support bracket in combination with the spring assembly, the transition assembly, and the cam assembly. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An electronic display positioning apparatus, comprising:
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a support bracket configured to be coupled to a support structure; a moving bracket slidingly engaged with the support bracket through a range of travel, the moving bracket configured to be coupled to an electronic display, the moving bracket comprising a housing having a height, a width, and a thickness, the height and the width of the housing being less than a height and a width of the electronic display, respectively; and a counterbalancing mechanism mounted to the moving bracket within the moving bracket housing, the counterbalancing mechanism configured to offset a combined weight of the electronic display, the moving bracket, and the counterbalancing mechanism, the counterbalancing mechanism comprising a spring assembly having a first end coupled to the moving bracket and a second end that moves through a range of deflection as the moving bracket moves through the range of travel, a transition assembly configured to deflect the spring assembly a shorter length than the length of a corresponding movement of the moving bracket along the range of travel, a cam assembly comprising a cam and a wheel, and a plurality of cables operatively coupling the moving bracket to the support bracket in combination with the spring assembly, the transition assembly, and the cam assembly. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A lift mechanism for adjusting a height of an electronic display, comprising:
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a first portion configured to be coupled to a support member; a second portion slidingly engaged with the first portion through a range of travel and configured to be coupled to an electronic display; a spring assembly mounted to the second portion and configured to exert a variable force, the spring assembly having a first end coupled to the second portion and a second end that moves through a range of deflection as the second portion moves through the range of travel, a transition assembly mounted to the second portion, the transition assembly configured to reduce the variable force and deflect the spring assembly a shorter length than the length of a corresponding movement of the second portion along the range of travel, and a cam assembly comprising a cam and a wheel mounted to the second portion, the cam assembly configured to convert the reduced variable force into a substantially constant force and apply the substantially constant force to the first portion; wherein the second portion, the first portion, the spring assembly, the transition assembly and the cam assembly are connected by a plurality of cables. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A method for positioning an electronic display, comprising:
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moving an electronic display a first distance through a vertical range of travel relative to a support member, the electronic display coupled to the support member with a display positioning apparatus comprising a spring assembly, a transition assembly, and a cam assembly; while moving the electronic display, moving the spring assembly, the transition assembly, and the cam assembly the first distance through the vertical range of travel; while moving the electronic display, deflecting the spring assembly a second distance through a range of deflection, the second distance corresponding to the first distance and less than the first distance; generating a first variable force with the spring assembly while deflecting the spring assembly the second distance through the range of deflection; generating a reduced force with the transition assembly, the reduced force corresponding to the first variable force; generating a substantially constant force with the cam assembly, the substantially constant force corresponding to the first variable force; and applying the reduced force or the substantially constant force to the support member to counter a weight of the electronic display. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30)
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Specification