U.S. patent number RE44,727 [Application Number 11/714,722] was granted by the patent office on 2014-01-28 for display device support system.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Colebrook Bosson & Saunders (Products) Limited. The grantee listed for this patent is Peter Thomas Bosson. Invention is credited to Peter Thomas Bosson.
United States Patent |
RE44,727 |
Bosson |
January 28, 2014 |
Display device support system
Abstract
A display monitor support system comprising a vertical post (3)
on which an arm (2) is pivotally mounted. The vertical position of
the arm (2) relative to the post (3) can be adjusted by fitting an
O-ring into one of several annular recesses (12) provided along the
length of the post (3), the arm resting on the O-ring and being
supported thereby. The arm (2) is preferably in two sections
(2A,2B) pivotally connected by pin (6). A universal joint (5) is
provided at the end of the arm (2) to which a quick-release
mechanism (4) is attached, said mechanism including a mounting
plate (98) connected to the monitor (1).
Inventors: |
Bosson; Peter Thomas (London,
GB) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Bosson; Peter Thomas |
London |
N/A |
GB |
|
|
Assignee: |
Colebrook Bosson & Saunders
(Products) Limited (Wilts, GB)
|
Family
ID: |
9888821 |
Appl.
No.: |
11/714,722 |
Filed: |
March 6, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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Reissue of: |
09820529 |
Mar 29, 2001 |
6863252 |
Mar 8, 2005 |
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Foreign Application Priority Data
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Mar 30, 2000 [GB] |
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0007806.3 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
248/278.1;
248/131 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16M
11/105 (20130101); F16M 11/2014 (20130101); F16M
11/041 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
E04G
3/00 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;248/276.1,278.1,282.1,283.1,122.1,123.11,125.7,125.9,131,145,125.4,144,917-923
;D14/452 ;361/681-683,679.01 ;403/110 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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29504362 |
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May 1995 |
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DE |
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19638388 |
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Apr 1998 |
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DE |
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0105076 |
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Apr 1984 |
|
EP |
|
0795716 |
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Sep 1997 |
|
EP |
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1123172 |
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Sep 1956 |
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FR |
|
1406564 |
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Jul 1965 |
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FR |
|
110151124 |
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Jun 1999 |
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JP |
|
00/39493 |
|
Jul 2000 |
|
WO |
|
01/35796 |
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May 2001 |
|
WO |
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Other References
Patent Abstracts of Japan vol. 1997, No. 3, Mar. 31, 1997 and JP
08312885, Nov. 26, 1996. cited by examiner .
Patent abstracts of Japan vol. 1997, No. 3, Mar. 31, 1997 and JP 08
312 885, Nov. 26, 1996. cited by applicant.
|
Primary Examiner: Le; Tan
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Dilworth & Barrese, LLP.
Claims
What is claimed is:
.[.1. A support for an electrical display device, comprising
mounting means configured to suspend the display device therefrom,
said mounting means including a quick release mechanism to allow
the display device to be readily and quickly detached from the
support, wherein the quick release mechanism comprises a male
attachment member which protrudes from the rear of the mounting
means, said male attachment member having a head which is received
in a rebated slot provided in a female attachment member attachable
to the support, the quick release mechanism includes locking means
biased to engage when the head of the male attachment member is
fully seated in the rebated slot in the female attachment member,
an actuator extends from the locking means for manual operation by
a user, and the actuator is a lever which extends beyond the
periphery of the display device when mounted on the support..].
.[.2. A support for an electrical display device, comprising
mounting means configured to suspend the display device therefrom,
said mounting means including a quick release mechanism to allow
the display device to be readily and quickly detached from the
support, wherein the support is an arm having mounting means at its
end remote from the quick release mechanism for attaching to the
support which is a support post, said mounting means includes a
pivot joint which allows the arm to move from side to side in a
horizontal plane, the mounting means is a collar or sleeve which
fits over and around the support post, and the collar is a tube
open at both ends, the tube being of a constant internal diameter
except at one end thereof which increases in internal diameter to
provide an internal chamfered edge around said one end..].
.[.3. A support post for use with a display monitor support as
claimed in claim 2 wherein the post has a plurality of parallel
annular rebates spaced along its length to receive a resilient
O-ring..].
.[.4. A support post as claimed in claim 3 wherein the post
comprises a plurality of individual segments which interfit with
each other..].
.[.5. Support apparatus comprising an arm having proximal and
distal ends, first mounting means at said proximal end for mounting
the arm on a fixed support, a universal joint at the distal end of
the arm with a quick release mechanism connected thereto, the quick
release mechanism comprising a male part with second mounting means
thereon for attaching an article to be supported to the arm and a
female part which releasably cooperates with the male part, said
female part being connected to the universal joint..].
.[.6. Support apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the quick
release mechanism includes releasable locking means to retain the
male and female parts together when engaged with each other..].
.[.7. Support apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein said arm
includes a pivot joint intermediate its proximal and distal ends
which allows the distal end of the arm to move from side to side in
a horizontal plane..].
.[.8. Support apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the first
mounting means is a collar or sleeve which fits over and around a
support post as the fixed support..].
.[.9. Support apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the first
mounting means includes attachment means operable to engage with a
wall as the fixed support to attach the arm thereto..].
.[.10. Support apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the male
part of the quick release mechanism has a head protruding therefrom
which is received in an open-ended slot provided in the female
part..].
.[.11. Support apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the quick
release mechanism includes locking means biased to engage when said
head is fully seated in said slot..].
.[.12. Support apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein said
universal joint is structured and arranged to pivot about two axes
normally arranged with respect to one another..].
.[.13. Support apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein said
normal axes constitute respective horizontal and vertical
axes..].
.[.14. Support apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein said
universal joint (5) comprises a mounting plate (80), a spigot (82)
extending from said mounting plate (80) and having an enlarged,
disc-shaped head (83) with a central hole (84) extending
therethrough normally to an axis of said spigot (82), a shell (70)
enclosing said head (83) and comprising pivot pins (71, 72)
extending from opposite ends thereof, with said plate (80) arranged
to pivot up and down about an axis defined by the central hole (84)
through the spigot head (83), and the arm (2A) comprising a
Y-shaped yoke (61) at the distal end and defining two aligned bores
(62, 63) at opposite ends of said yoke (61) from the arm (2A), with
the pins (71, 72) structured and arranged to be seated in the
respective bores (62, 63) to allow said plate (80) to also pivot
from side to side about an axis defined by said pins (71,
72)..].
.[.15. Support apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein said quick
release mechanism is directly mounted upon the universal
joint..].
.[.16. Support apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein said quick
release mechanism is structured and arranged to attach and secure
an article thereto and prevent detachment in coupled state, and
release attachment of the article upon actuation of an actuator
attached to said quick release mechanism..].
.[.17. Support apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein said quick
release mechanism is structured and arranged to attach and secure
an article thereto and prevent detachment in coupled state, and
release attachment of the article upon actuation of an actuator
attached to said quick release mechanism..].
.[.18. Support apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein said quick
release mechanism is structured and arranged to attach and secure
an article thereto and prevent detachment in coupled state, and
release attachment of the article upon actuation of an actuator
attached to said quick release mechanism..].
.[.19. Support apparatus comprising an arm having proximal and
distal ends, first mounting means at said proximal end for mounting
the arm on a fixed support, a universal joint at the distal end of
the arm with a quick release mechanism connected thereto, the quick
release mechanism comprising a male part with second mounting means
thereon for attaching an article to be supported to the arm and a
female part which releasably cooperates with the male part, said
female part being connected to the universal joint, wherein the
quick release mechanism includes releasable locking means to retain
the male and female parts together when engaged with each other,
and an actuator extends from the locking means for manual operation
by a user to release said locking means..].
.[.20. Support apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein the
actuator is a lever..].
.[.21. Support apparatus comprising an arm having proximal and
distal ends, first mounting means at said proximal end for mounting
the arm on a fixed support, a universal joint at the distal end of
the arm with a quick release mechanism connected thereto, the quick
release mechanism comprising a male part with second mounting means
thereon for attaching an article to be supported to the arm and a
female part which releasably cooperates with the male part, said
female part being connected to the universal joint, wherein the
first mounting means is a collar or sleeve which fits over and
around a support post as the fixed support, and the collar is a
tube open at both ends, the tube being of a constant internal
diameter but one end thereof increasing in internal diameter to
provide an internal chamfered edge around said one end..].
.[.22. A support post for use with a support apparatus as claimed
in claim 21, wherein the post has a plurality of parallel annular
rebates spaced along its length..].
.[.23. A support post as claimed in claim 22, wherein the post
comprises a plurality of individual segments which interfit with
each other..].
.[.24. A support post as claimed in claim 22, including a resilient
O-ring located in one of said rebates..].
.[.25. A support post as claimed in claim 23, including a resilient
O-ring located in one of said rebates..].
.Iadd.26. Support apparatus comprising an arm having proximal and
distal ends, first mounting means at said proximal end for mounting
the arm, a universal joint at the distal end of the arm with a
second mounting means thereon for attaching an article to be
supported to the arm wherein said universal joint is structured and
arranged to pivot about two respective horizontal and vertical axes
normally arranged with respect to one another and wherein said
universal joint (5) comprises a mounting plate (80), a spigot (82)
extending from said mounting plate (80) and having an enlarged,
disc-shaped head (83) with a central hole (84) extending
therethrough normally to an axis of said spigot (82), a shell (70)
enclosing said head (83) and comprising pivot pins (71, 72)
extending from opposite ends thereof, with said plate (80) arranged
to pivot up and down about an axis defined by the central hole (84)
through the spigot head (83), and the arm (2A) comprising a
Y-shaped yoke (61) at the distal end and defining two aligned bores
(62, 63) at opposite ends of said yoke (61) from the arm (2A), with
the pins (71, 72) structured and arranged to be seated in the
respective bores (62, 63) to allow said plate (80) to also pivot
from side to side about an axis defined by said pins (71,
72)..Iaddend.
.Iadd.27. Support apparatus as claimed in claim 26, wherein said
arm includes a pivot joint intermediate its proximal and distal
ends which allows the distal end of the arm to move from side to
side in a horizontal plane..Iaddend.
.Iadd.28. Support apparatus as claimed in claim 26, further
comprising a support post and wherein the first mounting means is a
collar or sleeve which fits over and around the support
post..Iaddend.
.Iadd.29. Support apparatus comprising an arm having proximal and
distal ends, first mounting means at said proximal end for mounting
the arm, a universal joint at the distal end of the arm with a
second mounting means attached to said universal joint for
attaching an article to be supported to the arm, wherein said
universal joint is structured and arranged to pivot about two
respective horizontal and vertical axes normally arranged with
respect to one another and wherein said universal joint (5)
comprises a mounting plate (80), a spigot (82) extending from said
mounting plate (80) and having an enlarged, disc-shaped head (83)
with a central hole (84) extending therethrough normally to an axis
of said spigot (82), a shell (70) enclosing said head (83) and
comprising pivot pins (71, 72) extending from opposite ends
thereof, with said plate (80) arranged to pivot up and down about
an axis defined by the central hole (84) through the spigot head
(83), and the arm (2A) comprising a Y-shaped yoke (61) at the
distal end and defining two aligned bores (62, 63) at opposite ends
of said yoke (61) from the arm (2A), with the pins (71, 72)
structured and arranged to be seated in the respective bores (62,
63) to allow said plate (80) to also pivot from side to side about
an axis defined by said pins (71, 72), wherein the first mounting
means is a collar or sleeve, and the collar is a tube open at both
ends, the tube being of a constant internal diameter but one end
thereof increasing in internal diameter to provide an internal
chamfered edge around said one end..Iaddend.
.Iadd.30. A support post for use with a support apparatus as
claimed in claim 29, wherein the post has a plurality of parallel
annular rebates spaced along its length..Iaddend.
.Iadd.31. A support post as claimed in claim 30, wherein the post
comprises a plurality of individual segments which interfit with
each other..Iaddend.
.Iadd.32. A support post as claimed in claim 30, including a
resilient O-ring located in one of said rebates..Iaddend.
.Iadd.33. A support post as claimed in claim 31, including a
resilient O-ring located in one of said rebates..Iaddend.
.Iadd.34. The support apparatus of claim 26 wherein the article is
an electrical display device..Iaddend.
.Iadd.35. The support apparatus of claim 29 wherein the article is
an electrical display device..Iaddend.
Description
This invention relates to a support system for display devices such
as display monitors which are used in financial trading rooms.
Financial traders are surrounded at their work station or desk by
display monitors which give them the information that they need
about share or other prices to enable them to trade and deal. Speed
is of the essence in their job so it can be disastrous if one of
the monitors develops a fault and goes down. The quickest way to
deal with the problem is to replace it immediately rather than try
to repair it. However, the monitors are commonly mounted in purpose
built fixtures or on supports which do not make it easy for them to
be removed and replaced.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a display
device support system including means which facilitate the easy
replacement of a display device thereon and also to provide a
system which is versatile and can be assembled to suit the
particular needs of the person using the display devices.
According to the invention, there is provided a support for an
electrical display device such as a monitor comprising mounting
means configured to suspend the display device therefrom, said
mounting means including a quick release mechanism to allow the
display device to be readily and quickly detached from the
support.
Preferably the display device is a display monitor and support is
an arm having mounting means at its end remote from the
quick-release mechanism for attaching it to a wall or support
post.
In the preferred embodiment, the mounting means includes a pivot
joint which allows the arm to move from side to side in a
horizontal plane.
In one embodiment, the mounting means can take the form of a collar
or sleeve which fits over and around a support post. In an
alternative embodiment, the mounting means includes attachment
means arranged to engage with a wall or vertical surface to attach
the arm thereto. The wall can be a plane surface or it can have a
plurality of horizontally extending spaced parallel channels
therein (SLATWALL) in which case the attachment means can include a
lip which engages with one of said channels to attach the arm to
said wall and securing means which engage with a channel located
above or below that engaged by the lip to secure the monitor on the
wall.
The arm can be in two parts which are connected together by a pivot
joint which allows each arm part to move from side to side in a
horizontal plane. In the preferred embodiment, the mounting means
is connected to a universal joint provided at said one end of the
support.
The quick-release mechanism preferably comprises a male attachment
member which protrudes from the rear of the monitor mounting means,
said attachment member having a head which is received in a rebated
slot provided in a female attachment member attachable to the
support.
Preferably the quick-release mechanism includes locking means
biased to engage when the head of the male attachment member is
fully seated in the rebated slot in the female attachment member.
Conveniently an actuator extends from the locking means for manual
operation by a user to release said locking means. Conveniently the
actuator is a lever which extends beyond the periphery of a monitor
when mounted on the support.
Preferably mounting means is a tubular collar open at both ends,
the collar fitting over and around a support post and being of a
constant internal diameter along most of its length but increasing
in diameter at one end to provide an internal chamfered edge around
said one end.
In the preferred embodiment, the support is mounted on an upright
post or pillar which has a plurality of parallel annular rebates
spaced along its length to receive a resilient O-ring therein. The
post can be formed in one piece or can comprise a plurality of
individual segments which inter-fit with each other.
Several preferred embodiments of the invention will now be
described, by way of example only, with reference to the
accompanying drawings, in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a flat screen display monitor
mounted on a support system of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the support system shown in FIG. 1
but with the flat screen monitor omitted;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged exploded view of the quick-release mechanism
and universal joint at the end of the support system shown in FIGS.
1 and 2;
FIG. 4 is an exploded side view of the support system shown in
FIGS. 1-3;
FIGS. 5A-5D are front and rear views of parts of the quick-release
mechanism;
FIG. 6 is a cross section of a part of the quick-release mechanism
shown in FIG. 5A;
FIGS. 7A-7C are views of another part of the quick-release
mechanism;
FIGS. 8A and 8B are cross sections through segments of the vertical
post shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;
FIGS. 9A and 9B are a side view and cross section of a bush member
for use with the vertical post shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;
FIG. 10 is a side view of one configuration of the support of the
present invention mounted on a vertical post;
FIG. 11 is a side view of the support in the configuration shown in
FIG. 10 but mounted on a slat wall;
FIG. 12 shows an alternative configuration for mounting flat screen
monitors on each side of a vertical post one above the other;
and
FIG. 13 shows a still further alternative configuration.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a flat screen
monitor 1 attached to a support in the form of an arm 2 mounted on
a vertical post 3. The arm 2 comprises a section 2A connected to
another section 2B by a vertical pivot pin 6. The arm section 2B
comprises a lower part 2B1 and an upper part 2B2.
A universal joint 5 (to be described in more detail hereafter) is
provided at the remote end of the arm 2 and is connected to
quick-release mechanism 4 attached to the flat screen monitor
1.
The construction of the support post 3 will now be described in
more detail with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. FIG. 8B shows the
bottom post section 3A and it can be seen that it comprises a
hollow cylindrical tube 11 having a plurality of annular recesses
12 formed in its outer surface, the recesses being spaced along the
length of the tube 11 and being parallel to each other. A bottom
plug 13 having an outwardly extending radial flange 15 at one end
thereof is fitted into the bottom of the tube 11. The plug 13 has a
threaded central hole 14 and a cavity 16 formed therein. When in
position in the tube 11, end 22 of the tube seats against the
annular flange 15 as illustrated. A top plug 17 with a threaded
central hole 18 therein is fitted into the other end of the tube 11
with laterally extending lip 20 seated against top rim 21 of the
tube 11. The plugs 13 and 17 are connected together by threaded rod
23 and the top plug 17 is fitted into the top end of the tube 11 by
rotating it around the threaded shaft 23 until the lip 20 seats
against the upper edge 21 of the tube 11.
Intermediate post section 3B is shown in FIG. 8A and this comprises
a hollow cylindrical tube 24 having annular recesses 12 formed in
its outer surface. The recesses 12 are parallel to each other and
axially spaced along the length of the tube 24. A lower plug 25
having a threaded central hole 26 in it is fitted in the bottom of
the tube 24 so that laterally extending annular lip 27 engages rim
28 of the bottom of the tube 24. The plug 25 also has a section 29
of reduced diameter which protrudes from the end thereof. This
portion 29 can be fitted in the cavity 19 in the upper plug 17 of
the lower post member 3A to connect the post sections 3A and 3B
together. An upper plug 35 having a central threaded hole 32 is
fitted into the upper end of the tube 24 so that annular lip 33
thereon seats against upper rim 34 of the tube 24. A threaded rod
30 engages the threaded apertures 26 and 32 to connect the upper
and lower plugs 25 and 35 together. The upper plug 35 is fitted in
the tube 12 by rotating it about the stud 30 until the lip 33
thereon seats against the upper rim 34 of the tube 12.
Instead of retaining the end plugs 12 and 17 and 25 and 35 in their
respective tubes 12 and 24 using the rods 23 or 30, these rods can
be omitted and grub screws used (not shown) which screw into the
plugs from the exterior of the tube in known manner.
FIGS. 9A and 9B show a bush member 36 slidable along the length of
the post sections 3A and 3B. The bush member 36 has a tubular body
36 with an annular rebate 38 adjacent its upper end and a collar 37
around its lower end. The inside surface of the collar 37 is
chamfered around the end region 40 of the lower end of the body
section 36 for reasons to be explained shortly.
In use, the bush member 3C is fitted over the post sections 3A and
3B and is slidable therealong, the inside diameter of the body
section 36 of the bush member 3C being substantially equal to the
outside diameter of the post sections 3A and 3B. In order to fix
the position of the bush member 3C in relation to the post 3, a
resilient O-ring is fitted over the post sections 3A and 3B and
fitted into one of the annular recesses 12 therein. The bush member
3C is then slid along the length of the post section 3A or 3B until
the chamfered surface 39 seats on the O-ring thereby fixing the
position of the bush member 3C relative to the post 3.
The construction of the support arm 2 which fits onto the support
post 3 will now be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 2-6.
The arm 2 is made up in two sections namely section 2A and sections
2B1 and 2B2. As can be seen more clearly in FIG. 2, upper arm
section 2B2 has a ring 50 formed at one end thereof and a larger
ring 51 formed at its other end. The internal diameter of the ring
51 is substantially equal to the outside diameter of the bush
member 3C. The lower arm part 2B1 is identical in construction to
the upper part 2B2 and therefore has a ring 56 at one end and a
larger ring 55 at its other end. A tubular spacer 2C is fitted
between the upper and lower arms 2B1 and 2B2 and has an internal
diameter substantially equal to the outside diameter of the bush
member 3C. An annular spacer 53 is located between the ring 51 and
the tubular spacer 2C and an annular spacer 58 is located between
the tubular spacer 2C and the ring 55 of the lower arm 2B1. The
bush member 3C is fitted through the upper and lower arm ends 51
and 55 and the spacer 2C to attach the arm parts thereto and the
bush member 3C is held in position by circlip 41 which engages in
annular recess 38 in the bush member 3C (see FIG. 4). Once in
position, the arm sections 2B1 and 2B2 can rotate about the bush
member 3C and thus are able to move from side to side in a
horizontal plane.
Arm section 2A has a through-bore 42 formed in one end thereof and
a Y-shaped yoke section 61 at its other end. To attach the arm
section 2A to the arm sections 2B1 and 2B2, it is inserted between
the ends 50 and 56 thereof with annular washers 52 and 57
interposed between said ring ends and the arm section 2A. Bolt 6 is
then passed through the ends 50 and 56, washers 52 and 57 and
through the through-bore 42 thereby pivotally attaching the arm 2A
to the arm sections 2B1 and 2B2 so that it can rotate in a
horizontal plane from side to side about bolt 6.
Yoke section 61 at the end of arm part 2A has bores 62 and 63
therein which receive cups 64 and 65 whose purpose will be
explained shortly.
The construction of the universal joint 5 and quick-release
mechanism 4 is better illustrated in FIG. 3 and will now be
described in more detail. The universal joint comprises a mounting
plate 80 having threaded holes 81 therein. A spigot 82 extends from
the middle of said plate and has an enlarged disc shaped head 83
thereon with a central hole 84 extending through it at right angles
to the axis of the spigot 82. Shell halves 70 fit on either side of
the head 83 to enclose it and each has an annular wall 78 with
upper and lower pivot pin halves 71 and 72 extending therefrom. It
will be noted that the peripheral wall 78 only extends halfway
round the circumference of the cup for reasons which will be
explained later. A central hole 74 is provided in the body of the
cup. The outside of the cup has a recess 73 formed therein to
receive a disc 75 with a central aperture 76 therein. When the
universal joint is assembled, the two cup halves 70 fit closely
around the pivot head 83 and bolt 77 extends through the holes 76,
74, 84 to secure the whole assembly together. When assembled, the
plate 80 can pivot up and down about the axis of the bolt 77
through an angular range of 110.degree. dictated by the cut-out in
the wall 78 of each shell half 70. The two pivot pin halves 71,72
form a complete pin when the cup halves 70 are in tight engagement
around the pivot head 83 and the upper pivot pin 71 is inserted in
the bore 62 and the lower pin 72 is inserted in the bore 63 at the
end of the arm 2A. Once in position, they are secured in the bores
62,63 by means of the hollow cups 64 and 65 whose hollow interior
66 accommodates the ends of the pins 71 and 72. The plate 80 can
now pivot about the pins 71 and 72 and move horizontally from side
to side relative to the arm 2A to provide a universal joint.
The quick-release mechanism 4 is shown in FIGS. 5-7 and comprises
U-shaped quick-release female member 90 having holes 91 through
which self tapping screws 105 attach the female member 90 to the
plate 80 of the universal joint 5, the self tapping screws 105
being received in threaded holes 81 in the plate 80. The female
member 90 has a slot 92 formed in it which has parallel sides but a
widened mouth 94. An undercut or recess 93 is formed behind the
mouth 94 and the slot 92. Three semi-circular cut outs 101 are
provided on the front face of the member 90 as illustrated at
90.degree., 180.degree. and 270.degree. around the circumference
thereof for reasons which will be explained shortly.
A plate 98 with a limb at each corner with holes 99 therein (see
FIG. 7) is secured to attachment head 95 which has an inverted
truncated cone 96 attached to it. A lever 100 which is biased by
leaf or plate spring 103 protrudes from the bottom of the
attachment head 95 and has an upstanding tang 102 deformed out of
the plane of the lever which is biased to protrude above surface 97
of the attachment head 95 (see FIG. 7B). This tang 102 can be
withdrawn below the surface 97 when the lever 100 is pulled in a
direction towards the plate 98.
To attach the display monitor 1 to the plate 98, screws (not shown)
are inserted through holes 99. The attachment head 96 is then
inserted into the slot 92 in the member 90 secured to the plate 80
of the universal joint and seats therein in the recess 93. When it
drops fully into position, the tang 102 locates in the centre
detent 101 at the bottom of the member 90 so that the head cannot
be removed from the slot 92 and it is fixed in an upright position.
However, if the monitor 1 needs to be removed from the arm 2,
application of pressure by a user to the lever 100 in a direction
towards the monitor 1 results in the tang 102 moving in a direction
towards the plate 98 so it comes out of engagement with the detent
101 and the monitor can then be lifted out of the slot 92. It will
be appreciated therefore that a very simple and easy to use
quick-release mechanism is provided. The monitor can also be
rotated relative to the arm and locked in position relative thereto
by releasing the tang 102 from the bottom detent 101 and rotating
it until it locates in one of the other detents 101 at 90.degree.
thereto (see FIG. 5C). Instead of providing the three detents 101
as illustrated in FIG. 5C, two detents 101A can be used (see FIG.
5A) which are circumferentially spaced from each other to provide a
90.degree. range of rotation between them.
FIGS. 10-13 show various ways in which the support arm 2 and
vertical post 3 of the present invention can be used. In the
arrangement shown in FIG. 10, the arm sections 2B1 and 2B2 pivot in
a horizontal plane about the post 3, the arm section 2A pivots in a
horizontal plane about the pin 60 and the monitor 1 can pivot from
side to side and up and down through a 110.degree. range by means
of the universal joint 5. To detach the monitor 1, the user simply
pulls the lever 100 towards the monitor 1 thereby releasing the
dimple 102 from its detent 101 in the mounting member 90 and
allowing the monitor to be lifted out of the slot 92 in member 90
for replacement.
FIG. 11 shows an arrangement identical to that shown in FIG. 10
except that the arm sections 2B are attached to a slat-wall 85
having horizontal parallel recesses 86 therein. The collar 2C is of
a slightly different design to that shown in FIG. 10 as it no
longer needs to fit over the post 3. Instead its rear face is
attached to mounting plate 87 having a lip 88 which engages with
the edge of a recess 86. The bottom of the plate 87 has means 89 as
illustrated for securing it to its contiguous recess 86. The arm
sections 2B are mounted in the collar 2C so as to be pivotable
laterally in a horizontal plane relative thereto.
FIG. 12 shows an arrangement in which two monitors 1 are mounted
one above the other on each side of the central post 3. In the
illustrated arrangement, the upper arms 2B are pivotable relative
to the common connector 2C whereas in the lower arrangement they
are not.
FIG. 13 shows an arrangement similar to that shown in FIG. 12
except that only a single monitor is mounted on either side of the
central column 3, the upper arm sections 2B being pivotable
relative to the common mounting member 2C.
It will be appreciated from the foregoing description of the
preferred embodiments of the invention that it is very easy to
remove and replace a display monitor 1 using the quick-release
mechanism 4 with its release lever 100. The position of the monitor
1 relative to the support post 3 can also be readily adjusted due
to the double articulation of the arm 2. The monitor 1 can also be
pivotally moved upwardly or downwardly through a 110.degree. range
of movement thereby providing complete versatility to the
assembly.
To adjust the vertical position of the arm 2 relative to the post
3, a user simply needs to lift the arm 2 upwardly to disengage the
collar 2C from the O-ring and the O-ring can then be moved up or
down the post 3 into another location in a suitable groove 11 or 12
and the collar 2C can be lowered into engagement with it again. It
will be appreciated that this mechanism allows extremely easy
alterations to be made to the vertical position of the monitor
relative to the post.
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