GB2346071A - An adjustable support for an apparatus - Google Patents

An adjustable support for an apparatus Download PDF

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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Withdrawn
Application number
GB9901811A
Other versions
GB9901811D0 (en
Inventor
Andrew John Nelson Wills
Oliver Nathaniel Ambrose Price
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to GB9901811A priority Critical patent/GB2346071A/en
Publication of GB9901811D0 publication Critical patent/GB9901811D0/en
Publication of GB2346071A publication Critical patent/GB2346071A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

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

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  • 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)

  1. 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. 2. A support as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a means adapted to counter-balance the weight of a supported apparatus.
  3. 3. A support as claimed in claim 2, wherein the counter-balancing means is adjustable to counter-balance apparatus of different weights.
  4. 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. 5. A support as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the counterbalancing means comprises a spring.
  6. 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. 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. 8. A support as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the hand portion comprises a friction joint.
  9. 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. 10. A support as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a base element to which the shoulder portion is connectable.
  11. 11. An adjustable support substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
GB9901811A 1999-01-27 1999-01-27 An adjustable support for an apparatus Withdrawn GB2346071A (en)

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

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Family Applications (1)

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GB9901811A Withdrawn GB2346071A (en) 1999-01-27 1999-01-27 An adjustable support for an apparatus

Country Status (1)

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Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
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)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
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

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
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)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
WPI Abstract, Acc. No. 1989-333517 & DE 3814771 A *
WPI Abstract, Acc. No. 1998-143374 & NL 1003491 C *

Cited By (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
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

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Publication number Publication date
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WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)