U.S. patent application number 10/580213 was filed with the patent office on 2008-07-10 for positioning mechanism and mount apparatus including the same.
This patent application is currently assigned to BARKAN MOUNTS LTD.. Invention is credited to Peter Feldman, Alexander Shapiro.
Application Number | 20080164386 10/580213 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37073127 |
Filed Date | 2008-07-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080164386 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Shapiro; Alexander ; et
al. |
July 10, 2008 |
Positioning Mechanism and Mount Apparatus Including the Same
Abstract
An apparatus for positioning an object, such as an electronic
appliance, the apparatus comprising a friction member and a
friction generating member comprising a body member having one or
more side surfaces for receiving the friction member, and an
affixed member comprising a planar surface moveably connected to
the friction generating member and having there between the
friction member; whereby movement of said friction generating
member generates a friction force between the friction member and
the affixed member.
Inventors: |
Shapiro; Alexander; (Ariel,
IL) ; Feldman; Peter; (Ariel, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FOLEY AND LARDNER LLP;SUITE 500
3000 K STREET NW
WASHINGTON
DC
20007
US
|
Assignee: |
BARKAN MOUNTS LTD.
|
Family ID: |
37073127 |
Appl. No.: |
10/580213 |
Filed: |
April 4, 2005 |
PCT Filed: |
April 4, 2005 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/IL2005/000373 |
371 Date: |
May 23, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
248/205.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16C 11/10 20130101;
F16M 11/10 20130101; F16M 11/041 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/205.1 |
International
Class: |
A47F 5/00 20060101
A47F005/00 |
Claims
1. An apparatus for positioning an object, the apparatus
comprising: an at least one friction member; a friction generating
member comprising a body member having at least one side surface
for receiving the at least one friction member; and an at least one
affixed member comprising at least one planar surface moveably
connected to the at least one friction generating member and having
there between the at least one friction member; whereby movement of
said friction generating member generates a friction force between
the at least one friction member and the at least one affixed
member.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the at least one friction
generating member side surface comprises a depression for
accommodating the at least one friction member.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the at least one friction
generating member and the at least one affixed member are pivotally
connected.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the at least one affixed member
is an affixing eye hinged member.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the at least one affixing eye
hinged member comprises at least two planar members, and the at
least one friction generating member comprises at least two side
surfaces.
6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the at least one affixing eye
hinged member is a U-like cross-section shape member that is
terminated by planar members.
7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the U-like cross-section shape
member further comprises bends.
8. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein each of the at least two planar
members further comprise at least one hole.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the at least one friction
generating member comprises a snap, said snap comprises a lever
with a release grip at its tip, and an edge having a gripping
protrusion
10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the at least one affixed
member comprises at least one elongated affixed member comprising
elongated ellipse shape surface.
11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the at least one friction
generating member comprises an elongated shape bottom surface.
12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the at least one elongated
ellipse shape surface of the at least one affixed member comprising
an elongated ellipse shape aperture.
13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the at least one friction
generating member and at least one of the affixing member are
moveably connected by a screw threaded in a nut.
14. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a mechanical
linkage between the at least one friction generating member, an at
least one friction member, and affixing member is provided by a
rigid clip member holding said friction generating member, the
friction member and the affixed member together.
15. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an at least one
mounting plate, said mounting plate comprising at least one plate
for supporting the object.
16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the object is an electronic
appliance.
17. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an at least one
mounting plate, said mounting plate comprising at least one
substantially rectangular cross-section shaped member for
supporting the object.
18. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the mounting plate comprises
two concentric located extruded eyes along the longitudinal axis of
the mounting plate.
19. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the mounting plate comprises
square shaped extruded eyes provided within a distance that is
sufficient to place there within the at least one friction
generating member.
20. The apparatus of claim 19 further comprising at least one plate
u-shaped cross-section aperture.
21. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the friction generating
member is placed between the mounting plate and the affixing hinged
eye member secured by a pivot passing along the horizontal axis
through the friction generating member.
22. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the at least one friction
member has a high friction coefficient number.
23. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the at least one friction
member has a friction coefficient number ranging from about 0.1 to
0.65.
24. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the object is an electronic
appliance to be tilted or rotated by a user.
25. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the appliance is any one of
the following: a computer screen monitor, a television plasma, LCD
or other screen, an audio speaker, a painting, a framed picture, a
lighting device.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention generally relates to a positioning
mechanism. More specifically, the present invention relates to a
rotational and linear positioning mechanism and a mount suitable
for adjusting the position of suspended electric appliances such as
television sets and the like.
[0003] 2. Discussion of the Related Art
[0004] Mounting electronic appliances, such as a computer monitor,
a television set, a video cassette recorder, a digital video and
the like is accomplished by using mounting assemblies used to
secure electronic appliances to walls or ceilings. Such mounting
assemblies usually comprise a wall or ceiling bracket attached to a
ceiling or a wall, an articulated support arm attached to said
bracket and a support tray (e.g. mounting plate) attached to said
arm on which the electronic appliance is positioned. U.S. Pat. No.
5,927,666 discloses a wall bracket for supporting an articulated
support arm. Such a mount can also be used to directly support an
electronic appliance without the need for the support arm.
[0005] To allow adjusting of the mounted appliance, the mounting
assemblies further comprise various adjusting and pivoting means
for allowing a viewer to adjust the position of a screen to his
convenience. Adjusting the position of the mount requires a hinge
about which the rotation of the mount occurs and a screw or other
friction means to secure the mount in a desired position. Suitable
placement of the electronic appliance on the mount will further
reduce the friction necessary to keep the electronic appliance in
place on the mount.
[0006] Currently known adjustable mounts provide friction between
two layers of rigid material such as steel or plastic placed one in
contact with the other along their surface. The friction is
provided through a screw or another attaching element that forces
the two layers of rigid material one onto the other. Gradually, the
attaching element erodes or loosens, the two layers or rigid
material separate and friction between the two rigid layers is
lost. As a result the mount cannot be adjusted efficiently or is
tilted out of the position initial determined by the user. Due to
gravity forces, the positioning mechanism will tilt down from the
pre-set position. If the positioning is not provided via such
layers of rigid materials, the mounting device would normally
comprise fixed slits or grooves in predetermined positions preset
for the various tilting angles required by the user. The change of
tilt of such a device requires opening of a holding screw and the
changing of the device angle with respect to the its holding
bracket so to fit a predetermined slit or groove which will hold
the device tilted in the required predetermined position. Then the
device is fixed to its position by applying a lock via the holding
screw. The prior art mounts can be set in predetermined discrete
positions or locations, thus positioning a tilt in an intermediate
location between two slits is impossible.
[0007] Accordingly, it is the object of the present invention to
provide a mounting apparatus, which allows the positioning of a
suspended article mounted thereon by a simple movement of the
article with no need for complicated operation;
[0008] It is another object of the invention to provide such a
mounting apparatus, which will allow a smooth and uniform movement
of the article during the positioning of a suspended article.
[0009] The invention will further solve the need to overcome
gravity forces that tends to pull down the suspended article during
positioning movement, requiring the application of force to slow
down the suspended article when tilting the appliance down and the
application of force to push up the suspended article when tilting
in the up direction.
[0010] It is a further object of the invention to provide such a
mounting apparatus, which will maintain the position of the article
mounted thereon for a substantial amount of time.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0011] One objective of the present invention is to provide safety
means for stabilizing the display and securing display devices to a
mounting plate for preventing possible unintentional movements of
said display. Furthermore, it is important to provide safety means
that offer the prevention of undesired movement of display object
(e.g. flat screen, monitor). Unintentional and undesirable
movements can result from gravitational forces applied onto the
display object, alternatively unintentional bumping into the
display or mounting plate and the like.
[0012] In accordance with the present invention, there is thus
provided an apparatus for positioning an object, the apparatus
comprising a friction member, a friction generating member, the
friction generating member comprising a body member having at least
one side surface for receiving the friction member, and an affixed
member comprising a planar surface moveably connected to the
friction generating member and having there between the at least
one friction member, whereby movement of the friction generating
member generates a friction force between the friction member and
the affixed member. The side surface of friction generating member
of the apparatus comprises a depression for accommodating the at
least one friction member. The friction generating member and the
affixed member of the apparatus are pivotally connected. The
affixed member of the apparatus is an affixing eye hinged member.
The affixing eye hinged member of the apparatus comprises two or
more planar members, and the friction generating member of the
apparatus comprises two or more side surfaces. The affixing eye
hinged member is a U-like cross-section shape member that is
terminated by planar members. The U-like cross-section shape member
further comprises bends. The two or more planar members further
comprise a hole. The friction generating member comprises a snap,
the snap comprises a lever with a release grip at its tip, and an
edge having a gripping protrusion. The affixed member comprises an
elongated affixed member comprising elongated ellipse shape
surface. The friction generating member comprises an elongated
shape bottom surface. The elongated ellipse shape surface of the
affixed member comprises an elongated ellipse shape aperture. The
friction generating member and the affixing member are moveably
connected by a screw threaded in a nut. The apparatus further
comprising a mechanical linkage between the friction generating
member and the friction member, and affixing member is provided by
a rigid clip member holding said friction generating member, the
friction member and the affixed member together. The apparatus
further comprises a mounting plate, the mounting plate comprising a
plate for supporting the object. The object is an electronic
appliance. The apparatus further comprising a mounting plate, the
mounting plate comprising a substantially rectangular cross-section
shaped member for supporting the object. The mounting plate
comprises two concentric located extruded eyes along the
longitudinal axis of the mounting plate. The mounting plate
comprises square shaped extruded eyes provided within a distance
that is sufficient to place there within the friction generating
member. The apparatus further comprising a plate u-shaped
cross-section aperture. The friction generating member is placed
between the mounting plate and the affixing hinged eye member
secured by a pivot passing along the horizontal axis through the
friction generating member. The friction member has a high friction
coefficient number. The friction member has a friction coefficient
number ranging from about 0.1 to 0.65. The object is an electronic
appliance to be tilted or rotated by a user. The appliance is any
one of the following: a computer screen monitor, a television
plasma, LCD or other screen, an audio speaker, a painting, a framed
picture, a lighting device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The present invention will be understood and appreciated
more fully from the following detailed description taken in
conjunction with the drawings in which:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a rotational positioning
mechanism attached to monitor mounting plate in accordance with the
preferred embodiment of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a positioning mechanism
adjacent to monitor mounting plate that is attached to a monitor in
accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
[0016] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of friction generating member
adjacent to a monitor mounting plate in accordance to the preferred
embodiment of the present invention;
[0017] FIGS. 2B and 2C are a friction generating and a mounting
plate, respectively, in accordance to the preferred embodiment of
the present invention;
[0018] FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C are exploded view of the positioning
mechanism shown in FIG. 1, including the friction generating member
and the mounting plate, in accordance with a preferred embodiment
of the present invention;
[0019] FIGS. 4A, 4B depict a side view of friction generating
member and a friction member according to the positioning mechanism
shown in FIG. 1;
[0020] FIGS. 5A, 5B are perspective views of a linear positioning
mechanism in accordance with the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0021] The present invention discloses a new and novel positioning
mechanism and mount apparatus. The positioning mechanism according
to the present invention can provide a rotational friction
mechanism, a linear friction mechanism or combination thereof and a
mount for mounting an electronic appliance thereon and tilting said
appliance via the positioning mechanism. Thus, an object associated
with the positioning mechanism such as a computer screen monitor, a
television plasma, LCD or other screen, a audio speaker, a
painting, a framed picture, a lighting device and the like,
associated with the mechanism can be tilted, rotated or displaced
in any desired direction. The positioning mechanism provides that a
user can position an object in a new desired position without the
said object, while being positioned into the desired position will
have a self movement associated with the object's weight (e.g.
downward as consequence of gravitation). The positioning mechanism
provides that once a user sets the newly desired position of the
object the position is fixed and is not likely to change as long as
a user sets another position. Once the position of the object
associated with the positioning mechanism is fixed there is no
further need to assure that the object will have a movement subject
to the weight or size of the object itself. The invention will be
better understood in view of the associated drawings. The
positioning mechanism comprises an affixed member comprising at
least one surface, a friction generating member comprising at least
one surface and one or more friction elements. The friction element
or elements are positioned between a surface of the affixed member
and a surface of the friction generating member. The friction
generating member is moveably connected to the affixed member. The
friction generating member's position is associated with the
position of an object associated with the positioning mechanism.
The friction element is associated with the positioning of the
friction generating member. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a
rotational positioning mechanism in accordance with the present
invention. Positioning mechanism 10 comprises a friction generating
member 12, an affixing eye hinged member 14 and friction members
50, 52. Friction members 50, 52 are shown in more detail in FIG.
3B. Each of the friction members 50, 52 are placed within a
suitable depression within the friction generating member 12 and
facing the side walls of affixed member 14. Friction members 50, 52
allow a relative movement of friction generating member 12 in
respect to affixed member 14. Thus, friction members 50, 52 provide
a user to move (e.g. rotate) an object to be positioned in the
desired place (e.g. tilt). Friction generating member 12 and
affixing eye hinged member 14 are moveably connected by screw 20
threaded in nut 21. Nut 21 is shown in more detail in FIG. 3A.
Screw 20 is used as a mechanical linkage between friction
generating member 12 and affixed member 14. Screw 20 is also used
as a pivot providing the rotational movement of friction generating
member 12. Accordingly, movement of friction generating member 12
initiates a friction between friction members 50, 52 and friction
generating member 12 and also with affixing eye hinged member 14.
According to other embodiments a mechanical linkage between
friction generating member 12, affixing eye hinged member 14 can be
provided with other means such as a rigid clip member holding
moveable member and affixed member together and the like.
Accordingly, said embodiments can comprise a pivot member
additionally to a mechanical linkage member providing rotational
movement of mechanism. Thus, the rotational movement of the
mechanism can be determined by a pivot and the mechanical linkage
between a friction generating member and an affixing eye hinged
member 14 by another mechanical linkage. Affixing eye hinged member
14 can be connected to a wall, ceiling or floor mounting assemblies
such as an arm apparatus and the like (not shown). Accordingly,
positioning mechanism 10 can be attached to supporting arms, such
as arms for mounting monitors, television sets, VCRs, DVDs,
speakers, light projectors, acoustic plates and other objects.
Positioning mechanism 10 provides that the tilt of objects
adjacent, juxtaposed to or mounted on the friction generating
member 12 of said mechanism is fixed according to the desirable
position by a user (not shown). The desirable tilt of an object is
reached by a rotational movement of the object adjacent or
juxtaposed to or mounted on friction generating member 12. In other
preferred embodiments of the present invention an object can be
associated with the moveable member and not adjacent or juxtaposed
to a moveable member. Thus, an object such as a flat screen can be
mounted on one end of an elongated supporting arm. Said arm is
remotely associated with a moveable member of a positioning
mechanism on one end and with said screen on a second end of the
supporting arm. Thus, a movement of an object according to said
embodiments provides a user to easily determine the desired
position of an object (e.g. by tilting the object). The
construction of the positioning mechanism provides as it is
depicted below that an object remains in a desirable position as
long as a user will wish it to remain in its set position. Thus, in
order to reach a desirable position and fixation of the mount at
said position, a user is required only to move said object to the
desired position. The movement of an object to a desired position
and the fixation of position of an object provided by the present
invention do not disregard safety measures concerning said movement
of objects as will be depicted below.
[0022] As depicted above in view of FIG. 1 friction generating
member 12 is placed between mounting plate 16 and affixing hinged
eye member 14 secured by screw 20 passing along the horizontal axis
through friction generating member 12. Thus, movement of mounting
plate 16 by a user or through gravitational force transfers
movement to friction generating member 12. Also shown in FIG. 1 is
a rounded shaped release grip 18 used by the user to release the
desired position of the mounting plate 16 with respect to the
friction generating member 12. As will be explained below the
friction generating member 12 can be attached through a snapping
and locking operation to the mounting plate 16.
[0023] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of positioning mechanism 10
positioned adjacent to mounting plate 16 and wherein mounting plate
16 is attached to an electronic appliance 22, such as an LCD
display or a plasma television set. Appliance 22 is attached to
mounting plate 16 by screws 24, 26, 28, 30 where screw 30 is hidden
from view. Rotational positioning mechanism 10 provides a
rotational movement of mounting plate 16 by a motion of friction
generating member 12. FIG. 2A is a perspective view of friction
generating member 12 adjacent to a mounting plate 16 in accordance
to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 2B and
2C show separately friction generating member 12 and mounting plate
16 of FIG. 2A. FIGS. 2A through 2C will be depicted jointly wherein
each numeral refers to the same element. Mounting plate 16' is a
substantially rectangular cross-section or butterfly wings
cross-section shaped member for supporting electronic appliance 22
of FIG. 2. The mounting plate 16 comprises two concentric located
extruded eyes 158, 160 along the longitudinal axis of mounting
plate 16. Friction generating member 12 is inserted between the
extruded eyes 158, 160 and comprises a body member 162, snap 58 and
hook shaped arm 90. Friction generating member 12 is fabricated
from a rigid plastic material. Friction generating member 12 can be
comprised from a rigid plastic material, a composite of various
polymers, metal alloy, a combination thereof, and the like. The
friction generating member 12 body member 162 comprises two side
surfaces 95, 94 (shown in FIG. 4A), hole 164, aperture 172, and a
front surface 54. Further depiction of side surfaces 94, 95 and
hole 164 is provided in view of the Figs below. Side surfaces 94,
95 each comprise depression 166 for receiving the friction members
(not shown) and additional small rectangular shaped depressions
168, 170 that reduce the amount of material needed when
manufacturing friction generating member 12 from a plastic or other
rigid material. However, according to other embodiments side
surfaces 94, 95 can be formed without a depression and wherein the
friction members are attached to the friction generating member 12
by mechanical attaching devices as described above, and not
comprising depressions there within. Snap 58 comprises a lever 96
with rounded shaped release grip 18 at its tip, and bulky edge 60
having a gripping protrusion 174. Arm 90 is a hook shaped arm
having an edge 56. Hole 164 is positioned in parallel to mounting
plate holes 38, 40 within affixing eye hinged member 14 shown in
FIG. 3 below. Accordingly, screw 20 and nut 21 are put through
holes 38, 40, 164. Thus, friction generating member 12 and affixing
eye hinged member 14 are moveably connected with hinge shaft or
screw 20 and nut 21. The assembly of friction generating member 12
to affixing eye hinged member 14 is further depicted in view FIGS.
3A, 3B, and 4A below. As shown friction generating member 12 is
affixed to the mounting plate 16 and secured by the affixed eye
hinged member 14, the three elements are pivotally connected
through holes 38, 164, 40 via screw 20 and nut 21. Snap 58 is
fabricated from a rigid plastic material having an elastic
capability. The elastic capability of snap 58 provides an easy and
fast connecting and disconnecting competence of positioning
mechanism 10 from mounting plate 16. Movement of snap 58 and edge
60 can be manipulated by lever 96. Lever 96 has at one end a
rounded shaped surface 18. Applying pressure force on rounded
shaped release grip 18 in a direction opposite edge 60, provides
movement of lever 96, edge 60 and protrusion 174. The movement of
protrusion 174 is in the direction of said pressure on rounded
shaped release grip 18 and in the direction of arrow 185. Said
movement of protrusion 174 provides a user of positioning mechanism
10 to easily disconnect the mechanism from mounting plate 16. Said
competence to disconnect positioning mechanism 10 from mounting
plate 16 is due to the connection nature detailed below between
friction generating member 12 and mounting plate 16.
[0024] Mounting plate 16 comprises square shaped extruded eyes 158,
160, aperture 86, plate U-shape cross-section apertures 150, 152,
flaps 154, 156, and mounting surfaces 176, 178. Mounting plate 16
can be fabricated from metal or any other material sufficient for
supporting and holding a monitor, a screen display unit and the
like. Mounting surfaces 176, 178 comprise connecting holes 62
through 82 and 88. Connecting holes 62 through 82 and 88 are shown
in FIG. 3C and are used to connect the mounting plate 16 to the
appliance to be mounted. One example of appending mounting plate 16
to a flat screen plasma display 22 using screws is shown in FIG. 2.
Flaps 154, 156 are positioned on both sides of aperture 86.
Friction generating member 12 is positioned within mounting plate
16. Square shaped extruded eyes 158, 160 are provided within a
distance 180 that is sufficient to place there within the body 162
of friction generating member 12. Square shaped extruded eyes 158,
160 comprise plate. U-like cross-section apertures 150, 152,
respectively. Plate U-like cross-section apertures 150, 152 are
positioned in U-like cross-section protrusion 85, 84, respectively.
U-like cross-section protrusion 85, 84 are positioned opposite the
insertion direction of friction generating member 12 connecting to
mounting plate 16. According to the preferred embodiment of the
present invention, friction generating member 12 is placed within
mounting plate 16 in the further manner: edge 60 with protrusion
174 is placed within plate U-like cross-section aperture 152,
surface 54 of body 162 is placed within aperture 86, and edge 56 of
arm 90 is placed within plate U-like cross-section aperture 150.
Protrusion 174 provides a snap fit of snap 58 in plate U-like
cross-section aperture 152 that holds friction generating member 12
adjacent to mounting plate 16. Surface 54 of body 162 is fitted in
aperture 86 and held in their position with flaps 154, 156. Flaps
154, 156 are partially curved and substantially parallel members
forming curvatures 182, 183 (not shown). Curvatures 182, 183 are
projecting to distance 180. Recess 172 is open to both sides of
surfaces 94, 95. Recess 172 comprises rims 240, 242, 244 that are
adjacent to side surface 95, and rims 246, 248, 250 that are
adjacent to side surface 94. Rims 240, 242, 244 along with
elevation 200 comprise an opening 252 of recess 172. Similarly,
rims 246, 248, 250 along with elevation 196 comprise an opening 254
of aperture 172. Upon inserting body 162 to aperture 86 flaps 154,
156 with curvatures 182, 183 are placed on openings 252, 254,
respectively. Placing flaps 154; 156 on opening 252, 254,
respectively, provides the stability of friction generating member
12. Thus flaps 154, 156 prevent movement of body member 162 of
friction generating member 12 in the direction of the said flaps.
According to other embodiments recess 172 can be replaced by
recesses on both sides of body 162 that are not open to both sides
such as recess 172. Edge 56 is place within plate U-like
cross-section aperture 150, thus providing a grasp of U-like
cross-section protrusion 85 of extruded eye 158. As depicted above,
applying pressure on rounded shaped release grip 18 of lever 96
provides a movement of protrusion 174 concurrently, in a direction
opposed to mounting plate 16 and in the direction of arrow 185.
Hence, due to the fact that mounting surfaces 176, 178 are appended
to an appliance and is of some weight, the disconnection of
friction generating member 12 from mounting plate 16 is simple by
applying pressure on rounded shaped release grip 18. Thus, as
depicted above, applying pressure on rounded shaped release grip 18
elevates protrusion 174 in the direction of arrow 185 that
disconnects friction generating member 12 (i.e. positioning
mechanism 10) from mounting plate 16 (i.e. appliance 22).
[0025] FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of positioning mechanism 10
and associated monitor mounting plate 16. Friction generating
member 12 and affixing eye hinged member 14 are moveably connected
by screw 20 threaded in nut 21. Affixing eye hinged member 14 is a
U-like cross-section shape member that is terminated by planar
members 34, 36. Affixing eye hinged member 14 further comprises a
U-like cross-section shape section 42, and bends 44, 46 (whereas
bend 46 is hidden from view) U-like cross-section shape section 42,
and bends 44, 46 provide a supporting frame for friction generating
member 12 upon disconnecting friction generating member 12 from
mounting plate 16 as depicted above in view of FIGS. 2A through 2C.
Planar members 34, 36 provide a supporting surface for friction
members 50, 52, respectively. Planar members 34, 36 provide further
a supporting frame for appending friction generating member 12 with
affixed member 14. Each of planar members 34, 36 comprises an
interior side, 102 (not shown) 100, respectively that face friction
generating member 12, and an exterior side, 97, 98 (not shown),
respectively, opposing friction generating member 12. Planar
members 34, 36 further comprise apertures 38, 40 that are used for
insertion of screw 20 and nut 21. Affixing eye hinged member 14 is
fabricated from a rigid metal such as painted steel. In other
preferred embodiments affixed member can be fabricated from other
alloys of metal, polymers, or combination thereof that provide a
rigid construction of said member.
[0026] FIG. 3B and FIG. 4A provide a perspective and side view of
friction 30 generating member 12. Friction generating member 12
comprises side surfaces 94, 95 (not shown) as well as other
elements depicted in view of FIGS. 2A through 2C. Side surfaces 94,
95 are not shown in FIG. 3B. Surfaces 94, 95 provide depressed
sections such as depression 166 (of surface 94) for placing
friction members 50, 52 there within. The depression of surfaces
94, 95 (e.g. depression 166) are of thickness smaller then the
thickness of friction members 50, 52. Thus, when placed in the
depressed sections, friction members 50, 52 slightly protrude
proximal to planar members 34, 36. Friction members 50, 52 are
located adjacent to side surfaces 94, 95. Each of surfaces 94, 95
end with an elevation. Thus, surface 94 comprises elevations 190,
192, 194, 196, that can be viewed in FIG. 4A, and surface 95
comprises elevations 198, 200, 202, and 204, that can be viewed in
FIG. 2C. Friction members 50, 52 adjacent to surfaces 94, 95,
respectively, are held positioned adjacent by said elevations.
Additionally, friction members 50, 52 are held adjacent to surfaces
94, 95 by friction between said friction members and surfaces 94,
95. Friction members 50, 52 are fabricated from materials providing
a remarkably high friction coefficient number such as ranging from
about 0.1 to about 0.65.
[0027] Due to the high coefficient material used for friction
members 50, 52 a high friction force is provided during the contact
of said friction members and its adjacent surfaces. The friction
force is reached by the use friction elements positioned adjacent
to surfaces of friction generating element 12 and affixing eye
hinged member 14. Thus, friction members 50, 52 are positioned
between surfaces 94, 95 of friction generating element 12 and
surfaces of interior part 102, 100 of affixing eye hinged member
14. Friction members 50, 52 are held affixed adjacent to said
surfaces by screw 20 and nut 21. Alternatively, friction members
50, 52 are held affixed adjacent to said surfaces by screw 20 and
nut 21 as well as by elevations 190 through 204. The friction force
generates sufficient force that prevents substantially any movement
of friction generating element 12 (i.e. positioning mechanism 10)
resulting from force other than a user moving said generating
element. The Friction force generates a force that enables friction
generating element 12 associated with an electrical appliance
weighing for example, 30-40 Kilograms to remain substantially in
the same position (e.g. tilt) for a long time period even by using
friction elements 50, 52 that have a relative small area. Remaining
in the same position for a said time period is subject to the fact
that no user will attempt to move (e.g. rotate) said associated
object or friction generating element 12. According to one example
of the preferred embodiment, friction elements 50, 52 each having
an area size of 5 cm.sup.3 positioned adjacent to affixing eye
hinged member 14 and friction generating element 12 associated with
a television set weighing the about 30-40 Kg placed on a mounting
plate 16 can remain in the same tilt position for an exemplary term
of say, five years. One skilled in the art can appreciate that
other sizes and qualities of friction elements can be used for
providing different possibilities for positioning mechanisms. Thus,
friction elements with larger areas can provide a positioning
possibility for substantially heavier objects. Other embodiments
can be provided with friction elements fabricated from material
with a low friction coefficient number that demands an annual
changing of said friction elements positioned within a positioning
mechanism associated with an electrical appliance weighing about
30-40 Kg. Replacement of friction elements 50, 52 can be easily
performed by a user applying force on rounded shaped release grip
18. As depicted above in view of FIGS. 2A through 2C applying force
on rounded shaped release grip 18 releases friction generating
element 12 (i.e. positioning mechanism 10) from mounting plate 16.
Thus, enabling to easily release screw 20 from nut 21, separate
affixing eye hinged member 14 from friction generating element 12,
and substituting said friction elements by extracting friction
element 50, 52 from positioning mechanism 10 and inserting new
friction elements. The assembly of positioning mechanism is
performed as depicted above. Alternatively, positioning mechanism
10 can remain associated with mounting plate 16 and the
substitution of friction elements can be performed in the same way
as described here above. However, according to the last friction
elements substitution embodiment it may be preferable that a heavy
object may not be associated with said mounting plate.
[0028] Other embodiments of positioning mechanisms can provide
friction members and side surfaces in different sizes and shapes.
Friction generating member 12 can be comprised from a rigid plastic
material, a composite of various polymers, metal alloy, a
combination thereof, and the like. Such materials can be a
composite of a number of materials. Thus, a composite of a variety
of fibers, fillers, non-ferrous metals, abrasives, lubricants and
rubbers, all or part of said materials chemically and physically
bounded may provide one example for a friction member used within
the invention. Other material that may be used is a composite of
stone wool, vermiculite, cellulose, phenol resin, fibber glass,
steel wool, oxides, rubber, graphite and fillers. Other examples of
material used for friction members according to the present
invention can be disc pads produced by Federal Mogul from
Southfield, Mich., U.S.A and the like.
[0029] When used, positioning mechanism 10 is used to position
mounting plate 16 attached to appliance 22. The weight of appliance
22 applies force (e.g. gravitation force) on supporting surfaces
176, 178. Said force applied to supporting surfaces 176, 178 as
well as the weight of mounting plate 16 (hereafter together: "the
positioned force"), are applied to positioning mechanism 10. Thus,
as depicted above in FIGS. 2A through 2C, friction generating
member 12 juxtaposed to mounting plate 16 receives the positioned
force. Friction generating member 12 transfers the positioned force
to affixing eye hinged member 14 through friction members 50, 52.
Affixing eye hinged member 14 is attached to a mounting arm (not
shown), which can be attached to a bracket (not shown) and affixed
to a wall or ceiling. The positioned force applies its force on
affixing eye hinged member 14 that conveys said force to a wall or
ceiling connected to the arm mounting device via the bracket. The
friction coefficient of friction members 50; 52 provides that the
tilting position of mounting plate 16 and appliance 22 is
determined by a user (not shown) that moves said appliance into a
desired position. Additionally, as depicted above due to said
friction coefficient, once the position of the appliance is reached
said appliance will not be changed due to the positioning force. It
will be readily appreciated that an object such as a large plasma
or LCD display and the like can be positioned juxtaposed to a
positioning mechanism without a mounting plate. Accordingly, an
object can be fastened to moveable member of a positioning
mechanism in a variety of ways (e.g. with a buckle, with screws and
the like). Thus, a movement of an object juxtaposed to a
positioning mechanism will apply the force of the object (e.g.
gravitational force) to a moveable member within a positioning
mechanism, to friction members, and to an affixed member.
[0030] According to other aspects of the present invention the
movement of friction generating member 12 is associated with the
movement of an object (e.g. an appliance 22) adjacent to said
positioning mechanism. Thus, the position of friction generating
member 12 is associated with an object (e.g. a monitor or a
television screen) providing that a movement of an object to a
certain tilt will concurrently tilt the friction generating member
12 that applies pressure on friction members 50, 52 juxtaposed to
affixing eye hinged member. According to another aspect of the
present invention, the positioning mechanism is not attached or
appended to a mounting plate but is adjacent to a mounting plate.
Due to the presence of friction members, the tilt of said object
and positioning mechanism would remain fixed as long as the
position of the object is not changed by a user. The high friction
coefficient material used (e.g. friction members 50, 52 used within
positioning mechanism 10) provides that even heavy weight objects
positioned adjacent to moveable member will remain in its position
after set by a user. Friction members 50, 52 of positioning
mechanism 10 are positioned between surfaces 100, 102 (not shown)
of affixing eye hinged member 14 and surfaces 94, 95 of friction
generating member 12. Surfaces 94, 95 provide a sufficient space
for placing friction members 50, 52 and further comprise a
depression for locating said friction members that are bordered by
elevations 190 through 204. Though two friction members are shown
in regard to positioning mechanism 10 other embodiments can
comprise only one friction member, alternatively, more than two
friction members with different sizes and shapes can be used as
well. One skilled in the art can appreciate that other shapes of
moveable members, affixed members and friction members can be used
providing the positioning mechanism disclosed within the present
invention. Friction generating member 12 further comprises hole 164
for placing hinged shaft or screw 20 and nut 21. Thus, as depicted
above friction generating member 12 is movably and pivotally
connected to affixing eye hinged member 14 by screw 20 and nut 21.
Prior to placing screw 20 through hole 164 friction members 50, 52
are positioned between surfaces 95 and 102 (not shown), and 94 and
100, respectively. After positioning friction members 50, 52
between said surfaces of friction generating member 12 and affixing
eye hinged member 14 screw 20 is placed through holes 38, 164 and
40 and fastened with nut 21. Positioning mechanism 10 placed
adjacent to mounting plate 16 can be rotated in any desired tilt,
thus providing that appliance 22 can be positioned at any tilt
desired by a user (not shown). The quality of friction members 50,
52 (i.e. high friction coefficient of material) and its position
between surfaces of friction generating member 12 and affixing eye
hinged member 14 provides that a movement of an object adjacent
will be performed by just the movement of the object. Furthermore,
the position of said object and the desired position will remain
unchanged as long as a user will wish to change said position. All
movement of object adjacent to positioning mechanism 10 is
mechanical controlled by friction members 50, 52, thus, preventing
fast movement that might be caused by gravity forces of said object
due to the fact that the movement of object is associated with the
movement of friction generating member 12. The large friction
coefficient number material surface used for friction surfaces 50,
52 provides a low erosion rate of the friction surfaces and greater
control over the position of mounting plate 16.
[0031] FIGS. 5A and 5B are perspective views of a linear
positioning mechanism in different positions in accordance with the
present invention. Linear mechanism 120 comprises a friction
generating member 122, an elongated affixed member 130 and a
friction member 126. Friction generating member 122 is moveably
connected to affixed member 130 by screw 124 and nut 132. Friction
generating member 122 comprises a top planar surface 123, and a
bottom planar surface 125 facing affixed member 130 top surface.
Friction generating member 122 can be adjacent to or,
alternatively, attached to a mounting device (not shown) for an
object. Thus, friction generating member 122 is connected with
screws, clips or other mechanical means to a mounting plate such as
depicted in view of FIG. 2 or directly to an object such as an
electrical appliance. Friction generating member 122 can be
provided with the same elements and members allowing the attachment
of friction generating member 12 to a mounting plate 16 of FIG. 1
as shown in view of the figures above. Affixed member 130 can be
attached to a mounting assembly connected to a wall, a ceiling or a
floor. In addition, affixed member 130 can also be placed directly,
without the need for a mounting assembly, on a wall, on an arm and
the like. Affixed member 130 comprises an elongated ellipse shape
surface 127 facing bottom planar surface 125 of friction generating
member 122, and an elongated ellipse shape aperture 128 positioned
substantially in the mid section of said affixed member 130. The
dimension of elongated ellipse shape surface 127 is sufficient to
support positioning friction element 126. Furthermore, elongated
ellipse shape surface 127 provides a planar on which a movement of
friction element 126 sliding across said surface is possible.
Aperture 128 is an elongated ellipse shape with rounded edges
having a width sufficient for enabling movement of screw 124 pin
along elongated ellipse shape aperture 128 when the user of the
device is moving the appliance connected to the friction generating
member 122. Screw 124 and nut 132 provide that friction member 126
is affixed related to friction generating member 122.
Alternatively, friction generating member 122 can be provided with
a depression enabling positioning of friction member 126 as well as
with a screw 124 and nut 132, thus affixing said friction member to
friction generating member 122. Elongated ellipse shape aperture
128 provides for a linear movement of friction generating member
122. Friction member 126 can be a square shape member fitting both
the width of bottom planar surface 125 of friction generating
member 122, and elongated ellipse shape surface 127. Friction
member 126 is positioned between and adjacent to bottom planar
surface 125, and elongated ellipse shape surface 127. Friction
member 126 can be the same as friction member 50 depicted in
association with the figures above. Thus, friction member 126 is
fabricated from a material having a high friction coefficient
number. When a user rotates or moves the appliance attached to
friction generating member 122 a considerable friction force is
generated by friction member 126 high coefficient friction number.
The friction is generated between the surfaces of friction member
126 and bottom planar surface 125 and elongated ellipse shape
surface 127. Due to the coefficient number of friction member 126
the friction force generated between friction element 126 and
adjacent surfaces 125, 127 is sufficient to provide that a mounting
plate associated with friction generating member 122 will remain in
its position as long as required. Thus, a user can move an object,
such as an electrical appliance connected thereto, adjacent to
friction generating member 122 to a location desired within
aperture 128. Such movement is accomplished along longitudinal axis
A-A of the affixed member 130. The extent of the movement is
limited by the size of aperture 128. The device shown in FIG. 5A is
in nearly most right side position to which the affixed member can
be moved. In contrast, the device shown in FIG. 5B is in nearly the
most left most position to which the affixed member can be moved.
The location of object and friction generating member 122
designated by user will remain unmoved as long as desired by the
user. Furthermore, the object associated with friction generating
member 122 will not slide subject to the quality of friction member
126. Friction member 126 can be easily replaced by the user of the
apparatus shown in FIGS. 5A, 5B without having to replace the other
operative elements which comprise of materials prone to higher
wear.
[0032] One skilled in the art can appreciate that a linear
mechanism can be placed adjacent to a rotational mechanism and a
mounting device for an object can be placed adjacent to said
rotational mechanism. Alternatively, a rotational mechanism can be
placed adjacent to a linear mechanism, and a mounting device for an
object can be placed adjacent to said linear mechanism. Said
positioning mechanisms comprising linear as well as rotational
mechanism provide freedom of movement of an object mounted on a
mounting device both in a linear and rotational direction. Other
embodiment according to the present invention can be movement of
objects with small size low powered electric motor located adjacent
to a positioning mechanism according to the present invention. Said
motor can generate the requested position by moving the friction
generating member, or, alternatively, the object associated with
said moveable mechanism. Said motor can be remotely controlled. In
case of use of a motor either the motor shall be powered all the
time or a clutch shall be added to prevent sliding and to hold the
position.
[0033] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that
the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly
shown and described hereinabove. Rather the scope of the present
invention is defined only by the claims which follow.
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