GB2346071A - An adjustable support for an apparatus - Google Patents
An adjustable support for an apparatus Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2346071A GB2346071A GB9901811A GB9901811A GB2346071A GB 2346071 A GB2346071 A GB 2346071A GB 9901811 A GB9901811 A GB 9901811A GB 9901811 A GB9901811 A GB 9901811A GB 2346071 A GB2346071 A GB 2346071A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- drum
- support
- belt
- shoulder portion
- counter
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
- 230000007935 neutral effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000004744 fabric Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000007373 indentation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005381 potential energy Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000005060 rubber Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000000007 visual effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16M—FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS
- F16M11/00—Stands or trestles as supports for apparatus or articles placed thereon ; Stands for scientific apparatus such as gravitational force meters
- F16M11/02—Heads
- F16M11/04—Means for attachment of apparatus; Means allowing adjustment of the apparatus relatively to the stand
- F16M11/06—Means for attachment of apparatus; Means allowing adjustment of the apparatus relatively to the stand allowing pivoting
- F16M11/10—Means for attachment of apparatus; Means allowing adjustment of the apparatus relatively to the stand allowing pivoting around a horizontal axis
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16M—FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS
- F16M11/00—Stands or trestles as supports for apparatus or articles placed thereon ; Stands for scientific apparatus such as gravitational force meters
- F16M11/20—Undercarriages with or without wheels
- F16M11/2007—Undercarriages with or without wheels comprising means allowing pivoting adjustment
- F16M11/2021—Undercarriages with or without wheels comprising means allowing pivoting adjustment around a horizontal axis
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16M—FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS
- F16M2200/00—Details of stands or supports
- F16M2200/04—Balancing means
- F16M2200/044—Balancing means for balancing rotational movement of the undercarriage
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Devices For Indicating Variable Information By Combining Individual Elements (AREA)
Abstract
An adjustable support for an apparatus such as a display screen comprises a shoulder portion, an arm portion and a hand portion; wherein the shoulder portion comprises a first drum element 4 which is fixedly mounted; wherein the arm portion comprises: a housing 6 which is pivotally mounted on the shoulder portion; a second drum element 8 which is rotationally mounted within the housing; and a belt element 12 which passes over the first and second drum elements and is adapted to prevent free rotation of the second drum element; and wherein the hand portion 16 is adapted to hold an apparatus and is fixedly mounted on the belt element.
Description
AN ADJUSTABLE SUPPORT FOR AN APPARATS
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an adjustable support for supporting an apparatus such as a display screen or a keyboard shelf.
Background Art
Display screens such as television and computer screens are generally supported from a wall or above a horizontal surface at a height which is relatively comfortable for a person viewing the screen. For example, traditional computer screens are often supported above a desk by placing the screen on the hard-drive of a computer which sits on the desk. Also, a television screen may be supported on a shelf or by using a floor stand.
However, there is increasing concern that such fixed forms of support do not allow viewers to adjust easily the position of display screens to achieve optimum viewing conditions, particularly with respect to posture and comfort.
This is a concern especially for visual display unit operators who spend most of their working day viewing display screens. There is therefore a need for adjustable supports for display screens, particularly as traditional cathode ray tube screens are replaced by flat display screens. There is also a need for adjustable supports for apparatus such as computer keyboards.
The present invention seeks to provide an improved adjustable support for an apparatus such as a display screen or a keyboard shelf, which support permits easy and stable repositioning of the apparatus.
It also seeks to provide an adjustable support which is adapted to control and maintain the orientation of a supported apparatus whilst the position of. the apparatus is adjusted.
The present invention additionally seeks to provide an adjustable support which reduces the amount of applied force required to adjust the position of an apparatus supported thereby.
Summary of the Invention
According to the present invention there is provided an adjustable support for an apparatus comprising a shoulder portion, an arm portion and a hand portion; wherein the shoulder portion comprises a first drum element which is fixedly mounted; wherein the arm portion comprises: a housing which is pivotally mounted on the shoulder portion; a second drum element which is rotationally mounted within the housing; and a belt element which passes over the first and second drum elements and is adapted to prevent free rotation of the second drum element ; and wherein the hand portion is adapted to hold an apparatus and is fixedly mounted on the belt element.
The apparatus is preferably a display screen, such as a computer or television flat display screen. It may also be a shelf for a computer keyboard, which shelf is sufficiently strong to support both the keyboard and the weight of an operator's hands. Other items of apparatus used in the office, factory, laboratory or home, for example, may also be supported by the adjustable support of the present invention.
In operation, a viewer applies a force to an apparatus, such as a display screen, mounted on the hand portion of the support. This force causes the arm portion to pivot about the shoulder portion, the second drum element to rotate about its axis under the control of the belt, and the hand portion to move the apparatus along a predetermined path. This path is predetermined by the dimensions of the pulley system comprising the first and second drum elements and the belt element. In a preferred embodiment, the path causes the vertical positioning of the apparatus to be adjusted relative to a horizontal desk top, for example.
The pulley system preferably acts to maintain and control the orientation of a supported apparatus while the apparatus is being repositioned.
Preferably, the first and second drum elements each present an arcshaped surface to the belt. For example, the drum elements are substantially cylindrical or semi-cylindrical (ie D-shaped), such that the surface presented to the belt is semi-circular in shape. When each drum element presents an arcshaped surface which is substantially equal in shape and size to that of the other drum element, the support constrains the display screen to substantially parallel motion. Alternatively, the drum elements may be non-arc-shaped and/or have a different size, in which case the support constrains the display screen to a motion which is non-parallel. For example, each drum element may present a surface to the belt that is semi-elliptical in shape.
Preferably, the first drum element presents a surface to the belt that is substantially the same size and shape as the surface presented to the belt by the second drum element. The first and second drum elements preferably have the same or substantially the same overall size and shape, particularly in terms of circumferential profile and diameter.
The belt element is usefully a length of a strong and substantially nonextendible material such as rubber, metal or fabric. The belt element may be a belt, a wire, a cable, a chain or a strap. It may be endless or it may be attached to the first drum element. The belt is preferably adapted to prevent free rotation of the second drum element as a result of friction therebetween.
Alternatively, or in addition, the belt may be fixed to the second drum element.
The first drum element is preferably fixedly mounted on the shoulder portion.
The second drum element is preferably rotationally mounted on the housing.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the support further comprises a means adapted to counter-balance the weight of a supported apparatus. This counter-balancing means is preferably adjustable to counterbalance apparatus of different weights.
The counter-balancing means may be mounted between the shoulder portion and the arm portion. It may be mounted on the shoulder portion at a point adjacent to the pivot point of the housing. In use, the counter-balancing means may be adjustable to vary the distance between the mounting point of the counter-balancing means on the shoulder portion and the pivot point of the housing; this enables the support to provide a neutral counter-balancing force for apparatus of different weights. The adjustability of the counter-balancing means may be provided by a screw, a cam, a linkage or a disc defining a helical path for a pin.
The counter-balancing means preferably comprises a member which stores potential energy such as a spring; for example, a gas strut spring, a helical spring, a wound constant force spring or a leaf spring.
The counter-balancing means preferably acts to minimise the applied force necessary to adjust the position of a supported apparatus.
The hand portion may be fixedly mounted on the second drum element.
It may be adapted to provide movement of a supported apparatus in threedimensions.
The hand portion preferably comprises a friction joint. This joint may allow limited rotational movement of a supported apparatus in threedimensions..
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the support further comprises a base element to which the shoulder portion is connectable. This base element may be attachable to a desk or a wall using a clamp or a bracket, for example. The base element may be mounted for rotational movement with respect to a supporting surface (eg. a desk or a wall).
In use, a plurality of the supports of the present invention may be connected in series to allow greater freedom of movement of a supported apparatus, while controlling the movement of the hand portion along a predetermined path and while maintaining the counter-balancing effect of a spring, for example.
Detailed Description of the Invention
An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawing, which is an exploded view of an adjustable support.
An adjustable support for a display screen has two shoulder plates 2 between which are fixedly mounted a first drum 4. A housing plate 6 is pivotally mounted between each shoulder plate and the first drum.
Between the ends of the housing plates remote from the first drum is a second drum 8. This drum is rotatably mounted on an axle 10 which is mounted between the housing plates. A belt 12 passes over the two drums: friction between the belt and the drums keeps the belt in position and prevents free rotation of the second drum 8. Hence, the rotational movement of the second drum is controlled by the belt. This pulley system of the belt and drums is adapted to control and maintain the angle of a supported display screen relative to a desk top, for example, whilst the position of the screen is adjusted.
The second drum 8 has an indentation 14 which is shaped to receive a friction joint 16. This friction joint is fixedly mounted on the second drum by means of a pin (not shown) which passes through holes 18 in the friction joint, the belt and the second drum. The belt is thereby fixed to the second drum.
The friction joint allows limited rotation of a supported display screen about three axes.
One end of a gas strut spring 20 is connected to the housing plates using a pin 24. The other end 26 of the spring 20 is connected to an adjustment block 28. This block is mounted on a screw 30 and is located within a cavity 32 provided in the first drum 4. This locates end 26 of the spring below the point about which the housing plates are pivotally mounted on the shoulder plates. By manually adjusting screw 30, the adjustment block moves along the thread of the screw, thereby varying the distance between the location of end 26 of the spring and the pivot point. This adjustability of this distance enables this spring mechanism to provide a neutral counter-balancing force for display screens of different weights.
The shoulder plates 2 are fixed to a base plate (not shown). The base plate is mounted on a desk and is adapted to rotate relative to the horizontal desk top about a vertical axis. Alternatively, the shoulder plates are fixed to a surface such as a wall, shelf or purpose-made bracket.
To operate the support, a viewer manually applies force to a supported screen in the vertical direction he wishes the screen to move. Since belt 12 fixes second drum 8 against free rotation, this force causes the housing plates to pivot about the shoulder plates. These shoulder plates and the first drum remain stationary. The pivotal movement of the housing plates relative to the first drum causes the belt to drive the second drum about its rotational axis.
The second drum thereby moves the friction joint and the display screen along a predetermined path.
Claims (11)
- Claims 1. An adjustable support for an apparatus comprising a shoulder portion, an arm portion and a hand portion; wherein the shoulder portion comprises a first drum element which is fixedly mounted; wherein the arm portion comprises: a housing which is pivotally mounted on the shoulder portion; a second drum element which is rotationally mounted within the housing; and a belt element which passes over the first and second drum elements and is adapted to prevent free rotation of the second drum element; and wherein the hand portion is adapted to hold an apparatus and is fixedly mounted on the belt element.
- 2. A support as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a means adapted to counter-balance the weight of a supported apparatus.
- 3. A support as claimed in claim 2, wherein the counter-balancing means is adjustable to counter-balance apparatus of different weights.
- 4. A support as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the counterbalancing means is mounted between the shoulder portion and the arm portion.
- 5. A support as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the counterbalancing means comprises a spring.
- 6. A support as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first and second drum elements each present an arc-shaped surface to the belt.
- 7. A support as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first drum element presents a surface to the belt that is substantially the same size and shape as the surface presented to the belt by the second drum element.
- 8. A support as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the hand portion comprises a friction joint.
- 9. A support as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the hand portion is adapted to provide movement of a supported apparatus in three-dimensions.
- 10. A support as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a base element to which the shoulder portion is connectable.
- 11. An adjustable support substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB9901811A GB2346071A (en) | 1999-01-27 | 1999-01-27 | An adjustable support for an apparatus |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB9901811A GB2346071A (en) | 1999-01-27 | 1999-01-27 | An adjustable support for an apparatus |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
GB9901811D0 GB9901811D0 (en) | 1999-03-17 |
GB2346071A true GB2346071A (en) | 2000-08-02 |
Family
ID=10846604
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
GB9901811A Withdrawn GB2346071A (en) | 1999-01-27 | 1999-01-27 | An adjustable support for an apparatus |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
GB (1) | GB2346071A (en) |
Cited By (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2004065842A1 (en) * | 2003-01-17 | 2004-08-05 | Constant Force Technology, Llc | Support arm |
EP1603712A2 (en) * | 2003-02-21 | 2005-12-14 | Knoll, Inc. | Mechanical arm with spring counterbalance |
US7252277B2 (en) | 2003-01-17 | 2007-08-07 | Ergotron, Inc. | Support arm |
WO2007118862A1 (en) * | 2006-04-13 | 2007-10-25 | Colebrook Bosson Saunders Products Limited | Monitor support arm |
WO2008092457A1 (en) * | 2007-02-02 | 2008-08-07 | Bang & Olufsen A/S | Support for multimedia units |
US8228668B2 (en) | 2006-07-26 | 2012-07-24 | Ergotron, Inc. | Balanced moment lift system and method |
US8925154B2 (en) | 2003-05-20 | 2015-01-06 | Ergotron, Inc. | Pivot mechanism for adjusting a position of an electronic display |
US9222616B2 (en) | 2012-03-30 | 2015-12-29 | Ergotron, Inc. | Counterbalancing lift mechanisms and methods |
US10267451B2 (en) | 2003-05-20 | 2019-04-23 | Ergotron, Inc. | Lift mechanism systems and methods |
Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5192963A (en) * | 1991-06-12 | 1993-03-09 | Hill Kenneth R | Camera suspension apparatus |
US5513579A (en) * | 1993-07-16 | 1996-05-07 | Waterloo Furniture Components, Ltd. | Adjustable computer keyboard support mechanism |
US5538214A (en) * | 1994-07-27 | 1996-07-23 | Sinila; Alexander | Locking accessory support apparatus |
US5697757A (en) * | 1992-12-01 | 1997-12-16 | Vitec Group, Plc. | Counter-balanced load carriers |
GB2315015A (en) * | 1995-09-07 | 1998-01-21 | Waterloo Furniture Components | Adjustable support arm for keyboard tray |
-
1999
- 1999-01-27 GB GB9901811A patent/GB2346071A/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5192963A (en) * | 1991-06-12 | 1993-03-09 | Hill Kenneth R | Camera suspension apparatus |
US5697757A (en) * | 1992-12-01 | 1997-12-16 | Vitec Group, Plc. | Counter-balanced load carriers |
US5513579A (en) * | 1993-07-16 | 1996-05-07 | Waterloo Furniture Components, Ltd. | Adjustable computer keyboard support mechanism |
US5538214A (en) * | 1994-07-27 | 1996-07-23 | Sinila; Alexander | Locking accessory support apparatus |
GB2315015A (en) * | 1995-09-07 | 1998-01-21 | Waterloo Furniture Components | Adjustable support arm for keyboard tray |
Non-Patent Citations (2)
Title |
---|
WPI Abstract, Acc. No. 1989-333517 & DE 3814771 A * |
WPI Abstract, Acc. No. 1998-143374 & NL 1003491 C * |
Cited By (14)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6997422B2 (en) | 2002-08-21 | 2006-02-14 | Ergotron, Inc. | Stand |
US7252277B2 (en) | 2003-01-17 | 2007-08-07 | Ergotron, Inc. | Support arm |
WO2004065842A1 (en) * | 2003-01-17 | 2004-08-05 | Constant Force Technology, Llc | Support arm |
EP1603712A4 (en) * | 2003-02-21 | 2009-09-02 | Knoll Inc | Mechanical arm with spring counterbalance |
EP1603712A2 (en) * | 2003-02-21 | 2005-12-14 | Knoll, Inc. | Mechanical arm with spring counterbalance |
US8925154B2 (en) | 2003-05-20 | 2015-01-06 | Ergotron, Inc. | Pivot mechanism for adjusting a position of an electronic display |
US9267639B2 (en) | 2003-05-20 | 2016-02-23 | Ergotron, Inc | Lift mechanism systems and methods |
US9360152B2 (en) | 2003-05-20 | 2016-06-07 | Ergotron, Inc. | Lift mechanism systems and methods |
US9687073B2 (en) | 2003-05-20 | 2017-06-27 | Ergotron, Inc. | Lift mechanism systems and methods |
US10267451B2 (en) | 2003-05-20 | 2019-04-23 | Ergotron, Inc. | Lift mechanism systems and methods |
WO2007118862A1 (en) * | 2006-04-13 | 2007-10-25 | Colebrook Bosson Saunders Products Limited | Monitor support arm |
US8228668B2 (en) | 2006-07-26 | 2012-07-24 | Ergotron, Inc. | Balanced moment lift system and method |
WO2008092457A1 (en) * | 2007-02-02 | 2008-08-07 | Bang & Olufsen A/S | Support for multimedia units |
US9222616B2 (en) | 2012-03-30 | 2015-12-29 | Ergotron, Inc. | Counterbalancing lift mechanisms and methods |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
GB9901811D0 (en) | 1999-03-17 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |