EP1895870A1

EP1895870A1 - Mountings suitable for user interfaces

Info

Publication number: EP1895870A1
Application number: EP06744227A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Trevor Reed; Thomas Reed; Justin Floyd
Original assignee: Scanstrut Ltd
Current assignee: Scanstrut Ltd
Priority date: 2005-06-16
Filing date: 2006-06-14
Publication date: 2008-03-12
Also published as: GB2427127A; GB0512311D0; WO2006134369A1

Abstract

A carriage (12) for association with a surface (10), the carriage comprising means for retracting an element (16) to provide an aperture (18) in the surface through which a user interface (14) may be deployed and means for deploying a user interface through the aperture.

Description

MOUNTINGS SUITABLE FOR USER INTERFACES

The invention relates to a carriage for a user interface and to installations including such carriages. The user interface may be, for example, an LCD screen.

It is a widely recognised problem that computer equipment clutters the office environment and hampers productivity. It is also apparent that home entertainment equipment can cause a similar irritation, particularly where space is at a premium (e.g. in a yacht cabin).

According to one aspect, the invention provides a carriage for association with a surface, the carriage comprising a first impeller means for retracting an element to provide an aperture in the surface through which a user interface may be deployed and a second impeller means for deploying a user interface through the aperture.

Thus, the invention provides the ability to stow a temporarily unneeded user interface such as a television, a computer monitor, a keyboard, a tablet PC (such as the HP Compaq tc 1100) or a touch screen.

The carriage is intended for association with a surface such as a desk or a wall through which the carriage can deploy an associated user interface.

In certain embodiments, the first and second impeller means are arranged such that the retraction and deployment at least overlap in time. In certain embodiments, this overlap is substantial.

In certain embodiments, the element and the interface upon which the first and second impeller means, respectively, are to act are largely planar and the first and second impeller means are arranged to move the element and the interface such that their faces pass by one another. For example, in such embodiments, the interface could be an LCD screen and the element could be a panel.

In certain embodiments, the first impeller means is arranged to stow the element, when retracted, substantially parallel with the surface with which the carriage is associated. This makes it possible to imbue the carriage with a compact aspect. Likewise, in certain embodiments, the second impeller means is arranged to stow the interface, when not deployed, substantially parallel with the surface with which the carriage is associated.

In certain embodiments, the second impeller means comprises racked support means for supporting the user interface that can be driven to deploy the user interface.

In certain embodiments, the element comprises a pin that locates in a corresponding track in the carriage, the track guiding the retraction of the element. Typically, there will be more than one such pin and, normally, these pins will be disposed symmetrically about the element.

In certain embodiments, the first impeller means comprises a racked member having a track for receiving a pin of the element and the apparatus has means for driving the racked member such that its track acts on the pin to move the element.

The invention also extends to furniture in which a carriage according to the invention has been incorporated or mounted.

By way of example only, certain embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a user interface carriage mounted in a desk;

Figure 2 shows a side view of the carriage of Figure 1 with the interface deployed;

Figure 3 shows a side view of the carriage of Figure 1 with the interface retracted;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the rear of the carriage of Figure 1 with the interface deployed;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the front of the carriage of Figure lwith the interface deployed; Figure 6 is a perspective view of the front of the carriage of Figure 1 with the interface retracted;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the rear of the carriage of Figure 1 with the interface retracted;

Figure 8 is a perspective view from below of the closure panel of the carriage of Figure 1 ;

Figure 9 is a view of a first side of a side panel of the chassis of the carriage of Figure 1;

Figure 10 is a view of a second side of the side panel of Figure 9; and

Figure 11 is a perspective view from below of the side panels and closure panel of the carriage of Figure 1 mounted in a desk.

Figure 1 shows a cutaway desk 10 to the underside of which is mounted a carriage 12. An LCD screen 14 is mounted in the carriage 12. The carriage 12 is also connected to a panel 16 that can be positioned to close an aperture 18 in the desk 10. The carriage 12 can move both the panel 16 and the screen 14 between retracted and deployed states. In their retracted states, the screen 14 and the panel 16 lie within the carriage 12 below, and substantially parallel to the surface of, the desk 10. In its deployed state, the panel 16 provides a flush closure for the aperture 18. In its deployed state, the screen 14 protrudes entirely from the desk 10 at an angle that is comfortable for a viewer seated at the desk 10. The carriage 12 coordinates the motions of the screen 14 and the aperture 18 such that whilst one of them is moving from its retracted position to its deployed position, the other is moving from its deployed position to its retracted position. With the screen 14 fully retracted and the panel 16 closing the aperture 18, the carriage 12 can operate to retract the panel 16 into the aperture 18 whilst at the same time deploying the screen 14 through the aperture. With the screen 14 fully deployed and the panel 16 fully retracted, the carriage 12 can operate to refract the screen 14 into the aperture 18 whilst at the same time deploying the panel 16 to close the aperture. The carriage 12 comprises a chassis 20 on which various other components are mounted.

The chassis 20 includes two side panels 22 and 24 between which is defined a space in which the panel 16 and the screen 14 move. The side panels 22 and 24 are braced apart by struts, such as front strut 26. On the facing sides of panels 22 and 24, there are mounted support arms 28 and 30 respectively which embrace the screen 14. The arms 28 and 30 are driven to deploy and retract the screen 14. On the outer faces of side panels 22 and 24, there are mounted respective slotted racks. Only slotted rack 32 can be seen in Figure 1. The slotted racks bear upon the panel 16 such that the slotted racks can be moved to retract and deploy the panel 16. In Figure 1, the carriage 12 is shown in a state mid way between the retracted and deployed positions of the screen 14 and the panel 16.

In Figure 2, the screen 14 is in the fully deployed position and, correspondingly, the panel 16, which is not visible in this figure, is in the fully retracted position. The position adopted by the slotted racks, of which only rack 32 is visible in this figure, when the panel 16 is fully retracted should be noted.

In Figure 3, the panel 16 is shown in the fully deployed position. Correspondingly, the screen 14 is fully retracted within the carriage 12 and is not visible in this figure. The position of the slotted racks, of which only rack 32 is visible in this figure, when the panel 16 is fully deployed should be noted.

Figures 4 and 5 show the carriage 12 with the screen 14 fully deployed. In Figures 4 and 5, the desk 10 has been omitted so that the carriage 12 can be viewed more clearly.

Figure 4 shows the back of the carriage. An electric motor 34 is mounted on the inner face of side panel 22 for the purpose of driving the support arms 28 and 30 and the slotted racks. In Figure 4, only slotted rack 36 on side panel 24 is visible. The motor 34 drives a worm shaft 38 which, in turn, drives a cog 40. The cog 40 is fixed on a shaft 42 that extends between, and is rotatably mounted in, the side panels 22 and 24. The cog 40 is positioned on shaft 42 to mesh with a rack 44 provided along the lower inside edge of support arm 28. A support rail 62 is formed on the inner face of side panel 22. The support arm 28 rests on the rail 62. The rail 62 is curved to match the curve on the lower surface of the support rail 28 and, when the support arm 28 is driven by the motor 34, the support arm 28 slides on rail 62. Similarly, support arm 30 slides on a curved rail (not shown) that is formed on the inner face of side panel 24. A further cog (not shown) is mounted on shaft 42 adjacent the inner face of side panel 24 to mesh with a rack 46 provided on the lower inner edge of support arm 30. Thus, the motor 34 can move the screen 14 between its deployed and retracted positions.

The shaft 42 extends through side panel 24 and a cog 48 is mounted on the protruding part of the shaft. A further, reversing cog 50 is rotatably mounted on the outer face of side panel 24. The reversing cog 50 meshes with both cog 48 and with a rack 52 provided along the lower edge of slotted rack 36. The slotted rack 36 is slidably mounted on a curved guide rail 54 formed on the outer face of side panel 24. A slot 56 in slotted rack 36 holds a pin 58 that extends from the panel 16. The mounting of the pin 58 on the panel 16 will be described in more detail later. The pin 58 reaches slot 56 by extending through a further slot 60 that is formed in the side panel 24. Thus, the motor 34 can, through the agency of shaft 42 and cogs 48 and 50, drive the slotted rack 36 which, in turn, pushes on the sides of pin 58 to move the panel 16.

A similar arrangement is provided for driving the slotted rack 32 that is provided on the outer face of side panel 22, as is shown more clearly in Figure 5. The shaft 42 extends through side panel 22 and cog 64 is mounted on the protruding part. The cog 64 meshes with another reversing gear 66 which, in turn, meshes with rack 68 provided along the lower edge of slotted rack 32. A slot 70 formed in slotted rack 32 holds a pin 72 that is provided on the panel 16. The provision of the pins 58 and 72 on the panel 16 will be described shortly. The pin 72 reaches the slot 70 through a further slot 74 that is formed in side panel 22. Thus, the motor 34 can drive slotted rack 32 along curved guide rail 75. Figure 5 is also notable in that it clearly shows the fully retracted position of the panel 16 within the chassis 20.

Figures 6 and 7 again show the carriage 12 without the desk 10. Figures 6 and 7 show the panel 16 in its fully deployed state with, consequently, the screen 14 in its fully retracted state. The accommodation of the screen 14 within the chassis 20 is visible from Figure 6. The position of the support arms 28 and 30 when the screen 14 is fully retracted can also be noted from Figure 6. Figure 8 shows a perspective view of the underside of the panel 16. Two blocks 76 and 78 are mounted on the underside of the panel 16 to carry the pins 58 and 72. Each of the blocks 76 and 78 also carries a further pin although only the additional pin 80 of block 76 is visible in Figure 8. However, block 78 is a mirror image of block 76. When the panel 16 is assembled into the carriage 12, the pin 80 is received in an elongate groove that is formed in the inside face of side panel 22. Likewise, the additional pin on block 78 is received in a similar elongate groove that is formed in the inside face of side panel 24.

Figures 9 and 10 show the inner and outer faces, respectively, of side panel 22. Figure 9 shows the elongate groove 82 that is formed in the inside face of side panel 22 to accommodate pin 80. Figure 9 also shows the slot 74 through which pin 72 passes to reach slot 70 in slotted rack 32. In addition to showing the guide rail 62 on which support arm 30 slides, Figure 9 also shows an additional guide rail for the upper surface of the support arm 30. The upper guide rail is divided into two parts, 84 and 86, because the slot 74 needs to extend into the channel defined between the upper guide rail 84 and 86 and the lower guide rail 62. The paths followed by slot 74 and groove 82 are designed for the purpose of orientating the panel 16 during its movements within the chassis 12 so that the panel 16 passes smoothly over the screen 14 without contact between the two.

Figure 10 shows the outer face of side panel 22. The guide rail 88 on which slotted rack 32 is mounted is clearly visible.

It will be apparent that side panel 24 has a form which is the mirror image of side panel 22 and features an elongate groove on its inner face for receiving the additional pin on block 78 whilst pin 58 is constrained by slot 60.

Figure 11 shows the side panels 22 and 24 mounted in the desk 10 with the panel 16 held therebetween. The other elements of the carriage 12 have been omitted for clarity. In Figure 11 , it is possible to see how the slots and grooves in the side panels 22 and 24 guide the motion of the panel 16, which is shown between its deployed and retracted positions.

In operation, the motor 34 is controlled by a panel of switches (not shown) that are accessible to a person seated at the desk 10. The switches can be operated to deploy or retract the screen 14 by selecting the appropriate direction of drive for the motor 34. The reversing cogs 50 and 66 ensure that the motion of the panel 16 is opposite to that of the screen 14.

When the screen 14 is in its fully retracted position, the panel 16 is in its fully deployed position. When the motor is then engaged to deploy the screen 14, the screen 14 and the panel 16 begin to move simultaneously from their respective retracted and deployed positions and arrive simultaneously at their respective deployed and retracted positions.

When the screen 14 is in its fully deployed position, the panel 16 is in its fully retracted position. When the motor is then engaged to retract the screen 14, the screen 14 and the panel 16 begin to move simultaneously from their respective deployed and retracted positions and arrive simultaneously at their respective retracted and deployed positions.

In other embodiments, the screen 14 could be replaced by, for example, a touch screen, a keypad, or a tablet PC. Instead of being mounted horizontally, the carriage 12 could be mounted vertically in, for example, a wall. The embodiment shown in the Figures makes use of rack drives, e.g. cog 66 driving member 32, but it will be apparent to the skilled person that other drive arrangements, such as belt drives or friction drives, could be used instead. The embodiment shown in the Figures uses an electric motor 34 and it will be apparent to the skilled person that other types of motor, e.g. hydraulic, could be used if desired.

Claims

1. A carriage for association with a surface, the carriage comprising a first impeller means for retracting an element to provide an aperture in the surface through which a user interface may be deployed and a second impeller means for deploying a user interface through the aperture.

2. A carriage according to claim 1, wherein the first and second impeller means are arranged such that the retraction and deployment at least overlap in time.

3. A carriage according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the element and the interface are largely planar and the first and second impeller means are arranged to move the element and the interface such that their faces pass by one another.

4. A carriage according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the first impeller means is arranged to stow the element, when retracted, substantially parallel with the surface.

5. A carriage according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second impeller means is arranged to stow the interface, when not deployed, substantially parallel with the surface.

6. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second impeller means comprises racked support means for supporting the user interface that can be driven to deploy the user interface.

7. A carriage according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the element comprises a pin that locates in a corresponding track in the carriage, the track guiding the retraction of the element.

8. A carriage according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first impeller means comprises a racked member having a track for receiving a pin of the element, the carriage further comprising means for driving the racked member such that its track acts on the pin to move the element.

9. A carriage according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising gearing means to reverse a drive that is applied to deploy the interface such that the reversed drive can be used to drive the first impeller means.

10. Furniture and a carriage associated with a surface of the furniture, the carriage being as specified in any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. A carriage substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.