CA2713016A1 - Projector arm assembly for whiteboard stand - Google Patents

Projector arm assembly for whiteboard stand Download PDF

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Publication number
CA2713016A1
CA2713016A1 CA 2713016 CA2713016A CA2713016A1 CA 2713016 A1 CA2713016 A1 CA 2713016A1 CA 2713016 CA2713016 CA 2713016 CA 2713016 A CA2713016 A CA 2713016A CA 2713016 A1 CA2713016 A1 CA 2713016A1
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
projector
arm
screen
arm assembly
vertical support
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.)
Abandoned
Application number
CA 2713016
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Jim Phillips
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.)
Copernicus Educational Products Inc
Original Assignee
Copernicus Educational Products Inc
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 Copernicus Educational Products Inc filed Critical Copernicus Educational Products Inc
Priority to CA 2713016 priority Critical patent/CA2713016A1/en
Publication of CA2713016A1 publication Critical patent/CA2713016A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • GPHYSICS
    • G03PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03BAPPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR
    • G03B21/00Projectors or projection-type viewers; Accessories therefor
    • G03B21/54Accessories
    • G03B21/56Projection screens
    • G03B21/58Projection screens collapsible, e.g. foldable; of variable area

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Projection Apparatus (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to a projector arm assembly for an interactive projector system having a screen mounted on a mobile stand. The projector arm assembly comprises a vertical support member having one end attached to the mobile stand and extending above a top edge of the screen and a moveable arm having first and second ends wherein the first end of the moveable arm is pivotally connected by motion control means to the distal end of the vertical support, remote from the mobile stand. The motion control means controls the rate of movement of the arm so that it can easily be manually moved from an operable to a closed position and vice versa and will support the arm having a projector mounted to it when in the operable position.

Description

PROJECTOR ARM ASSEMBLY FOR WHITEBOARD STAND
FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This application relates to an projector arm assembly for an interactive projector system. In particular, the application relates to a interactive projector system having a screen mounted on a mobile stand and having a moveable arm portion for retaining a projector, the arm moveable manually from an operable position substantially perpendicular to a screen or other surface onto which the projector is intended to project and a closed position parallel to the screen.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a projector arm assembly for an interactive projector system having a screen mounted on a mobile stand. The screen can be any surface on which an image can be projected but preferably is a whiteboard or interactive white board. The screen is preferably mounted on the mobile stand so that the height of the screen can be adjusted vertically. The projector arm assembly comprises a vertical support member having one end attached to the mobile stand and extending above the top edge of the screen and a moveable arm portion having first and second ends wherein the first end of the moveable arm portion is pivotally connected by motion control means to the distal end of the vertical support, remote from the mobile stand. The motion control means controls the rate of movement of the arm portion so that it can easily be manually moved from the operable to the closed position and vice versa and will support the arm having the projector mounted to it when in the operable position. If the height of the screen is adjusted vertically the vertical support member preferably is mounted so that the distal end of the vertical support member is retained the same distance from the top edge of the screen.

A projector support bracket sized and shaped to retain a front projector, either an overhead projector when the screen is an interactive whiteboard, or an interactive projector, is mounted adjacent the second end of the moveable arm portion in a manner that the projector can project an image onto the screen without obstructing the view of the persons in front of the screen.

In another aspect the present invention provides a projector arm assembly for an interactive projector system having a screen mounted on a mobile stand, the projector arm assembly comprising a vertical support member having one end attached to the mobile stand and extending above a top edge of the screen and a moveable arm having first and second ends wherein the first end of the moveable arm is pivotally connected by motion control means to the distal end of the vertical support, remote from the mobile stand, wherein the motion control means controls the rate of movement of the arm so that it can easily be manually moved from an operable to a closed position and vice versa and will support the arm having a projector mounted to it when in the operable position.
The present invention also provides a projector arm wherein the moveable arm comprises a pair of spaced apart parallel rails having a perpendicular cross member connecting one end of each of the rails and a vertical member depending from the cross member.

The present invention also provides a projector arm assembly wherein a projector support bracket sized and shaped to retain a front projector is mounted adjacent a second end of the moveable arm in a manner that the projector can project an image onto the screen without obstructing the view of the persons in front of the screen.

The invention also provides a projector arm assembly wherein the motion control device comprises a pair of tri-lobed brackets fixed to a second end of the depending vertical arm member on the moveable arm portion, the tri-lobed brackets pivotally connected to the distal end of the vertical support member and compression spring means in the form of a pair of gas springs have one end pivotally attached to the tri-lobed brackets and the other end of each of the gas springs attached to the vertical support member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a front perspective view of an interactive projector system having a screen mounted on a mobile stand and a projector arm assembly having a moveable arm portion pivotally connected to the distal end of a vertical support according to one embodiment of the invention. The moveable arm portion is shown in the operable position.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the back of the interactive projector system of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is perspective view of the projector arm assembly shown in Figures 1 and 2 without the projector and with moveable arm portion having a pair of spaced apart parallel rails having a perpendicular cross member connecting one end of each of the rails and a vertical member depending from the cross member. A projector support bracket is adjustably attached to the other end of the spaced apart rails.
Figure 4 is perspective of the spaced apart parallel rails, cross member connecting one end of each of the rails and vertical member depending from the cross member of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is perspective view of the projector support bracket shown in Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the interactive projector system having a screen mounted on a mobile stand and a projector arm assembly of Figures 1 and 2 where the moveable arm portion is in the closed position.
Figure 7 is front perspective view of the mobile stand of Figures 1 and 2 without the screen and projector arm assembly.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, an interactive projector system generally indicated at 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown having a screen 11 mounted on a mobile stand generally indicated at 12. The screen 11 can be any surface on which an image can be projected but preferably is a whiteboard or interactive white board. The screen 11 is preferably mounted on the mobile stand 12 so that the height of the screen 11 can be adjusted vertically. As best shown in Figure 2 and 6, screen 11 is mounted on a first frame 14 that is moveable vertically on a second frame 15. A
projector arm assembly generally indicated at 13 is provided.

As shown in Figure 3,4 and 5 the projector arm assembly 13 comprises a vertical support member 16 having one end 17 attached to the mobile stand 12 and extending above the top edge 18 of the screen and a moveable arm portion generally indicated at 19 having first 20 and second ends 21 wherein the first end 20 of the moveable arm portion 19 is pivotally connected by motion control means generally indicated at 22 to the distal end 23 of the vertical support member 16, remote from the mobile stand 12. The motion control means 22 controls the rate of movement of the arm so that can easily be manually moved from the operable to the closed position and vice versa and will support the arm having the projector mounted to it when in the operable position. If the height of the screen is adjusted vertically, the distal end of the vertical support member is maintained the same distance from the top edge of the screen.

As shown in Figure 3 and 4, the moveable arm portion 19 illustrated comprises a pair of spaced apart parallel rails 24, 25 having a perpendicular cross member 26 connecting one end 27,28 of each of the rails 24,25 and a vertical arm member 29 depending from the cross member 26. The vertical arm member 29 is connected to the vertical support 16 by motion control means 22 preferably as described below.

A projector support bracket, generally indicated at 30, is adjustably attached to the other ends 31, 32 of the spaced apart rails 24,25. The projector support bracket 30 is sized and shaped to retain a front projector 33 shown in Figure 1 and 2, either an overhead projector when the screen is an interactive whiteboard, or an interactive projector, mounted adjacent the second end 21 of the moveable arm portion 19 in a manner that the projector can project an image onto the screen without obstructing the view of the persons in front of the screen 11.
As best shown in Figures 3 and 5 the projector support bracket 30 comprises a pair of spaced apart tubular members 34,35 sized and shaped to be slidably attached to rails 24,25 of arm portion 19. Plate 36 with upstanding flanges 37, 38 and locking knobs 39,40,41,42 is attached between tubular members 34, 35. The projector 33 is attached to the plate 36. The projector support bracket 30 is adjustable by sliding it along rails 24,25 so the projector is the right distance from screen 11 when in the operable position.

A pull bar 43 is provided at the end 21 of the moveable arm portion 19 to enable a person to reach up and pull down on the projector arm assembly 13 to move it from the operable position to the closed position shown in Figure 7.

In the embodiment shown in the Figures, the stand 12 includes a shelf-like structure, ledge or drawer 44 for supporting the screen 11. The stand 12 has wheels 45 to allow for easy transportation of the system. A computer such as a laptop 46, shown in Figure 1 is coupled to the system.

The movement of the projector arm assembly into the closed position shown in Figure 7 allows for better storage and transport options. The arm components are preferably tubular so that electronic components for operation of the projector run through it.

As noted above the projector arm assembly 13 includes a motion control device 22 to control the movement of the arm from an operable position to a closed position and vice versa. In the embodiment shown in the Figures, the motion control device 22 includes a pair of tri-lobed brackets 47,48 fixed to the end 49 of the depending vertical arm member 29 (see Figure 4) on the arm portion 19. The tri-lobed brackets 47, 48 are pivotally connected to the distal end 23 of the vertical support member 16 by pin 50. Compression spring means in the form of a pair of gas springs 51, 52 have one end pivotally attached to the tri-lobed brackets 47, 48 at points 53,54. The other end of each of the gas springs 51,52 is attached to the vertical support member 16 at pin points 55,56. The gas springs allow for easy control, easy effortless movement, safety, and the ability for the projector arm to remain in an open (up) or closed (down) position. This is also illustrated in Figure 4, where projector 33 attached to moveable arm portion 19 is positioned to face the screen or board 11.

As shown in Figure 2 and 6, the stand 12 may be formed from a series of inter-connecting hollow members oriented in both the horizontal and vertical direction. For example, in the embodiment shown in Figure 2, there is a centre vertical support member 57 on which the projector arm assembly 13 may be mounted. Other configurations are possible, provided that the screen 11 is supported on the stand 12 and that the stand 12 is capable of holding the screen or board.

The gas springs allow the arm to be moved in a controlled fashion. Thus, it is possible to move the projector to a position to allow for optimal viewing of the information on the board or screen. The arm would move through 90 degrees until the projector faces the board.

Generally, a dry erase board or whiteboard, which may be mounted on the stand, for example, is placed at the front of a classroom or in front of the group being presented to. It is sometimes necessary to adjust the height or angle of the projector for optimal viewing. It is also sometimes necessary to move the board between classrooms or conference rooms. The present invention enables the interactive projector system to be moved to any location for optimal viewing including between rooms or to a storage location. The ability of the arm to be pivoted downward allows the system to become more compact, thereby assisting in ease of transport. The projector may be folded or collapsed independently of the board or frame.
Further, since the screen or board need not be attached to the stand, the stand may be folded up, stored and transported independently of the board. The illustrated system includes a whiteboard. However, the invention can be used for other types of boards and display surfaces.
The moveable arm can be used in conjunction with a known interactive whiteboard such as SMART Board interactive whiteboard produced by Smart Technologies (Calgary, Alberta). Alternatively, the mobile arm can be used with an interactive projector such as the one produced by Epson (Nagano, Japan).

The preferred embodiment of the present invention was designed specifically for educators and incorporates technology with traditional teaching in one center. Its compact size allows for whole class teaching or small group instruction with less distractions. Combining the functionality of an Interactive Projector with a Magnetic Dry Erase Board. The projector arm supports an EPSON
BrightLink 450Wi Interactive Projector.

Use of the gas springs or other compressible spring means and pull down handle permits a teacher to easily reach up to grab the pull down handle to easily fold the projector down for storage or transporting or push the arm back up into the operable position. In a preferred embodiment the projector system moves with ease, folds compact to 31"D
(79cm) to fit through the average doorway in a school or office.

Locking Casters can be installed to ensure the unit stays in place when bumped.

The laptop/Keyboard shelf preferably easily swivels into position with a slide out shelf for increased work space.
A Wire Management System can be included to keeps cords neat and power source organized, reducing tripping hazard.

It is to be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the present discussion is a description of exemplary embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the broader aspects of the present invention.

Although various preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described herein in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, that variations may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (4)

1. A projector arm assembly for an interactive projector system having a screen mounted on a mobile stand, the projector arm assembly comprising a vertical support member having one end attached to the mobile stand and extending above a top edge of the screen and a moveable arm having first and second ends wherein the first end of the moveable arm is pivotally connected by motion control means to the distal end of the vertical support, remote from the mobile stand, wherein the motion control means controls the rate of movement of the arm so that it can easily be manually moved from an operable to a closed position and vice versa and will support the arm having a projector mounted to it when in the operable position.
2. A projector arm assembly according to claim 1 wherein a projector support bracket sized and shaped to retain a front projector is mounted adjacent a second end of the moveable arm in a manner that the projector can project an image onto the screen without obstructing the view of the persons in front of the screen.
3. A projector arm assembly according to claim 1 wherein the moveable arm comprises a pair of spaced apart parallel rails having a perpendicular cross member connecting one end of each of the rails and a vertical member having one end fixed to the cross member and depending from the cross member.
4. A projector arm assembly according to claim 4 wherein the motion control device comprises a pair of tri-lobed brackets fixed to a second end of the depending vertical arm member on the moveable arm portion, the tri-lobed brackets pivotally connected to the distal end of the vertical support member and compression spring means in the form of a pair of gas springs have one end pivotally attached to the tri-lobed brackets and the other end of each of the gas springs attached to the vertical support member
CA 2713016 2010-08-11 2010-08-11 Projector arm assembly for whiteboard stand Abandoned CA2713016A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA 2713016 CA2713016A1 (en) 2010-08-11 2010-08-11 Projector arm assembly for whiteboard stand

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA 2713016 CA2713016A1 (en) 2010-08-11 2010-08-11 Projector arm assembly for whiteboard stand

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA2713016A1 true CA2713016A1 (en) 2012-02-11

Family

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA 2713016 Abandoned CA2713016A1 (en) 2010-08-11 2010-08-11 Projector arm assembly for whiteboard stand

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CA (1) CA2713016A1 (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2013151475A1 (en) * 2012-04-02 2013-10-10 Sms Smart Media Solutions Ab Height adjustable stand for screen or display
CN112558402A (en) * 2020-12-16 2021-03-26 深圳市光科数字科技有限公司 Electronic curtain based on long-range wireless communication control

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2013151475A1 (en) * 2012-04-02 2013-10-10 Sms Smart Media Solutions Ab Height adjustable stand for screen or display
US9169960B2 (en) 2012-04-02 2015-10-27 Sms Smart Media Solutions Ab Height adjustable stand for screen or display
CN112558402A (en) * 2020-12-16 2021-03-26 深圳市光科数字科技有限公司 Electronic curtain based on long-range wireless communication control

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Effective date: 20130813