GB2389729A

GB2389729A - Powered display screen support

Info

Publication number: GB2389729A
Application number: GB0213506A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul Roberts
Original assignee: ROBERTS TECHNOLOGIES PLC
Current assignee: ROBERTS TECHNOLOGIES PLC
Priority date: 2002-06-12
Filing date: 2002-06-12
Publication date: 2003-12-17
Also published as: GB0213506D0

Abstract

A display screen support 1 is provided with a mounting mechanism to which a display screen 5 may be attached. The mounting mechanism is powered such that it moves between a first "parked" position and a second, viewing, position using a combination of vertical, pivoting and tilting motions. The display may be moved to a preselected position on activation of the screen and returned to the parked position on deactivation. The screen may pivot about vertical and horizontal axes and may move vertically, using a counterweight and constant force spring, to adjust its height. The support may be floor standing and be powered electrically, hydraulically or pneumatically. It may be controlled remotely and include conduit to disguise power and signal cables.

Description

DISPLAY SCREEN SUPPORT

The present invention relates to a display screen support, and in particular to a display screen support having a powered transport mechanism arranged to move a display screen being held by the support between first and second positions.

With the advent of such display technologies as TI7T (thin film transistor) LCD displays and plasma screen displays, the displays themselves have become significantly thinner (i.e. the distance between the front of the display screen and the rear of the display unit) than conventional CRT (cathode ray tube) display devices. The thickness of TI7T LCD displays and plasmas screens, and other such similar display screens, is of the same order as that of a picture frame, or in some cases thinner, and this has led people to locate displays such as plasma screens in a similar position to that which they would place a picture, namely flat against a wall and about 2 metres above the floor.

Although this location has the advantages of immediately reminding a consumer of how relatively thin a plasma screen is, and also reducing the negative visual impact of what can be a relatively large object within a room, such a position severely compromises both the view, comfort and flexibility afforded by such a display. [he ideal height for a display screen is one that affords the viewer a horizontal sight line to the centre of the screen. This will of course vary to some extent according to the type of seating being, used, but it is unlikely to exceed approximately 1.3 metros. Where the display screen is intended to be viewed by a greater number of people, for example when used in an exhibition or conference room, it may be beneficial to have the display screen higher than 1.3 metres so as to give more people an uninterrupted view. Under the circumstances it may be beneficial to tilt the screen forward such that its vertical axis is at substantially 90 to the sight line of most of the viewers.

Within a domestic setting, the traditional location for a conventional CRT television is in the corner of a room with the television angled into the room towards the seating arrangement. However, mounting a plasma screen television on the wall of a room

removes this location possibility because it requires the screen to lee pivoted for viewing purposes. The visual comparison between plasma or flat screen displays and paintings only works in the absence of power and signal cables. To achieve this with a wall mounting requires that the position of the screen be decided upon and fixed and all necessary cabling to be buried in the wall prior to installation. This is clearly disadvantageous in terms of cost, convenience and flexibility.

Support stands, and in particular adjustable wall brackets, are well known for mounting conventional COLT televisions and similar devices are available for plasma screens. I'he support stands allow some degree of adjustment of the positioning of the display screen attached to them but are generally large and inelegant devices that are intended primarily to provide a display support that once adjusted remains in the same position. These known display screen supports therefore do not address the problem addressed by embodiments of the present invention of providing a display screen support that allows a display screen to be moved between an "out of use" or "parked" position and one or more further positions when the display screen is in operation.

According to the present invention there is provided a display screen support having, a display screen holding mechanism movable between a first position, which is adopted when a display screen being supported by the display screen support is not in operation, and at least one second position, which is adopted when said display screen is in operation, the display screen support further having a powered transport mechanism arranged to move the holding mechanism between the first and the at least one second position.

It is therefore possible to provide a screen support that moves an attached display screen back and forth between a 'parked" position when the screen is not in operation, the parked position for example being substantially flat against an adjacent wall within a room, and a second position that provides an improved viewing position when the display screen is in operation.

Preferably, the transport mechanism is arranged to move the holding mechanism between the first position and one of a plurality of second positions. Hence more than one viewing position for the display screen may be adopted.

Additionally, each of the second positions is a predefined position. Additionally the display screen support may further comprise a selector mechanism tor selecting one of the plurality of predefined second positions.

It is therefore possible to preset a number of positions that provide a desired viewing position of the display screen and to select which one of these preset positions is to be adopted by the screen support. For example, different viewing positions may be defined for differing seating positions or to different individuals personal preferences. Thus each of the predefined second positions can be defined by a user and stored for subsequent use.

I'refcrably, the display screen support may further comprise a control unit arranged to detect activation of a display screen being supported by the screen support and to control the transport mechanism whereby the screen holding mechanism is moved between the first position and at least one second position in response to activation of the display screen.

Hence the display screen may be moved to the "viewing position" automatically when the display screen is activated.

Additionally, the control unit may be further arranged to detect deactivation of the display screen and to control the transport mechanism whereby the display screen is moved to the first position. the display screen support may thus additionally automatically move the attached display screen to the "parked" position when the attached display screen is turned off. Alternatively, the control unit may he arranged to only detect deactivation of an attached display screen and to control the transport mechanism to move the screen holding mechanism to the first, parked position.

( 4 Preferably, the transport mechanism comprises an elevator mechanism arranged to vary the height of the screen holding mechanism The elevator may include a motor driven leadscrew, chain, belt or may include fluid operated actuators of the piston and cylinder type. 'I'he elevator mechanism may advantageously comprise a load relief' mechanism having one or more of a counterweight and constant force sprint;. '['his reduces the power requirements of the mechanism as the weight of the display screen can be balanced by the relief mechanism. Hence the height of the attached display screen may be varied.

Preferably, the transport mechanism comprises a pivot mechanism arranged to pivot the screen holding mechanism about a substantially vertical axis. Thus the attached display screen may be pivoted towards either the left or the right of the screen support.

Preferably, the pivot mechanism may be arranged to pivot the screen holding mechanism through a first arc about a first substantially vertical axis and through a second arc about a second substantially vertical axis. 'I'he first and second axes being substantially parallel.

By providing two pivot axes substantially parallel to one another the attached display screen may be pivoted in one direction about one of the pivot axes and the other direction about the other pivot axes thus minimising the extent to which the display screen stands forward of the screen support when in the screen support when In the second, parked, position. Preferably, transport mechanism comprises a tilt mechanism arranged to tilt the screen holding mechanism about a substantially horizontal axis. 'I'his allows the attached display screen to be tilted forward to provide an improved viewing position.

I'referably, the transport mechanism is responsive to a remote controller.

The transport mechanism is preferably powered electrically, hydraulically or pneumatically.

I'referably the display screen support is floor standing as this allows its weight to be home by the floor, although other arrangements such as being fastened to a wall may be contemplated.

Preferably the display screen support comprises a cable conduit arranged to route power and/or signal cables out of sight of a view of the attached display screen.

l he display screen support is preferably arranged to support a plasma screen display.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described as follows, by way of illustrative example only, with reference to the accompanying figures, of which: Figure I is a schematic front view of a display screen support constituting an embodiment of the present invention, together with an attached display screen; Figure 2 is a schematic sideview of the display screen support and display screen shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 schematically illustrates the display screen and display screen support of Figure 1 with the display screen pivoted towards the right; I.'igure 4 schematically illustrates the display screen support of figures 1 and 2 with the display screen tilted forward; Figure 5 schematically illustrates one embodiment of the elevator mechanism constituting an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 schematically illustrates a further embodiment of the elevator mechanism of the present invention; Figure 7 schematically illustrates in plan view an embodiment ot the pivoting mechanism of the present invention in an unpivoted position; Figure 8 schematically illustrates the pivot mechanism of 1 igure 7 pivoted to left;

is) Figure 9 is a schematic side view of the tilting mechanism constituting an embodiment of the present invention; and leisure 1() is a schematic plan view of the tilting mechanism shown in Figure 9.

A display screen support I which is an embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figures 1 and 2. The support I has an upright member 2 having a base 3 that supports the screen support I on the floor. A mounting mechanism 4 is attached to the upright section 2 and provides a mounting bracket for a display screen 5 to be fastened to.

In l;igures I and 2, the mounting mechanism 4 is shown in a first, "parked" position in which the display screen 5 is in an uppermost position with respect to the screen support and is held parallel and as close as possible to the upright member 2. Thus, when the screen support 1 is placed against a wall, to which it may be fastened for improved stability, the display screen 5 is supported relatively close, and parallel to, the wall in a position not dissimilar to that which a picture or mirror hung on the wall would occupy.

l he mounting mechanism 4 is arranged such that it can perform one, or more, of: a) move substantially vertically; t') pivot to the left and right; c) or tilt forward.

This allows the mounting mechanism 4 and attached display screen S to be moved to a second position that provides an improved viewing; position for the display screen 5.

leisure 3 illustrates the screen support I in such a second position in which the mounting mechanism 4 (not visible in Figure 3) has been moved vertically downwards and pivoted towards the right (as viewed from the front). I.igure 4 further shows the mounting mechanism 4 and attached display screen 5 tilted forwards about a substantially horizontal pivot axis 6.

It is therefore possible to move the mounting mechanism 4, and therefore an attached display screen 5, using any combination of the vertical, pivot or tilt movements to a second position that provides a preferred viewing position for the display screen 5. The mounting mechanism 4 is powered, preferably using one or more electric motors, such that the movement between the first, "parked", position and the second viewing position is a powered movement requiring no manual intervention on behalf of a user. Operation of the mounting mechanism 4 in preferred embodiments of the present invention is by remote control. The control may be limited to simply moving the mounting mechanism 4 between the first and second positions, or may provide further control of the individual vertical, pivoting or tilting movements, and thereby allowing a user to adjust the position of the mounting mechanism 4, and therefore display screen 5, to suit their personal preferences or a particular set of circumstances. In some embodiments of the present invention a number of predetermined viewing positions may be selected and stored by a user such that the mounting mechanism 4 may be controlled to move between the first parked position and any one of the predefined second, viewing, positions. This feature therefore allows different people within a household, for example, to "personalize" the viewing position of the display screen 5.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention a control unit (not shown) is provided as part of the display screen support 1. The control unit controls the operation of electric motors acting on the mounting mechanism 4 and is also arranged to receive one or more of a control or power signal from an attached display screen 5. The control unit is arranged such that on detection of deactivation of the display screen 5, the mounting mechanism 4 is controlled so as to return it to the first, parked, position. The control unit may further be arranged to detect when an attached display screen 5 is activated and to control the mounting mechanism 4 to move the display screen 5 to the second, viewing, position. In the case where more than one preset viewing position has been defined then one of these preset positions will be allocated as a default viewing position to which the mounting mechanism is moved when the control unit detects activation of the display screen 5.

It is also preferred in embodiments of the present invention that the upright member 2 is either hollow or includes an integral cable conduit to provide routing space for power

cables to the display screen 5 and mounting mechanism 4, together with any other required cabling used to connect the display screen 5 to other items of audio visual equipment in such a manner that the cabling is not visible when viewing the display screen S. Figure 5 schematically illustrates an embodiment of an elevator mechanism used to vary the height of the mounting mechanism 4 in an embodiment of the prescut invention. 'I'he elevator mechanism 7 comprises a motor driven pulley 8, or drum, on which a cable 9 or belt, is wound. The mounting mechanism 4 and display screen 5 are attached to the cable 9, with a counterweight 10 being attached to the opposite end of the cable 9. Rotation of the powered pulley 8 therefore causes the mounting mechanism 4 and display screen S to move up and down in a substantially vertical direction. The counterweight 10 is provided to alleviate the weight of the mounting mechanism 4 and display screen S so as to minimise the electric motor used to turn the pulley 8. The mechanism may also be implemented with the belt passing over upper and lower pulleys, thereby allowing the motor driven pulley to be placed near the floor.

I;igure 6 schematically illustrates an alternative embodiment to the elevator mechanism 7 shown in Figure 5. 'the arrancment of the powered pulley 8, cable 9, mounting mechanism and display screen 5 is the same as that shown in Figure 5. However, as opposed to the counterweight 10 shown in Figure S. a constant force spring I I is connected to one end of the cable 9 and to a fixed support 12, such as the base 3 of the display screen support 1. The constant force spring 11 provides the same function as the counterweight 10 shown in Figure 5 by exerting a constant tensile force substantially equivalent to the weight of the mounting mechanism 4 and a display screen 5 on the opposite end of the cable 9 to which the mounting mechanism 4 and display screen 5 are attached.

It will of course be appreciated by those skilled in the art that elevator mechanisms other than that shown in Figures 5 and 6 may be used without deviating from the scope of the present invention. One such alternative is to provide a leadscrew mounting vertically to the upright section 2. A lead nut in threaded engagement with the leadscrew is connected to the mounting mechanism 4. By providing rotation of the leadscrew using a suitable motor, the lead nut and hence the mounting mechanism and display screen can be caused to travel

( 9 vertically up or down the leadscrew. AIternativcly a rack and pinion arrangement may be utilised, with a rack vertically mounted to the upright section 2 and a motor driven pinion which is, in meshing constant with the rack, mounted on the mounting mechanism 4 to achieve vertical movement. ()ther suitable mechanisms include hydraulic or compressed gas operated vertical rams.

l igures 7 and 8 schematically illustrate an embodiment ot the tilting mechanism used in preferred embodiments of the present invention. Referring to Figure 7, the tilting mechanism 13, which may either be attached to the mounting mechanism 4, or be provided in replacement of the mounting mechanism, comprises three main sections. The first section 14 is a shallow rectangular box, with the horizontal sides being longer than the vertical sides. Both l;igures 7 and 8 are plan views of the pivot mechanism 13. The first section 14 is arranged to be mounted either to the mounting mechanism 4 or directly to the upright section 2 of the screen support 1. The second section 15 is in the form of a rectangular frame of the substantially the same dimensions as the first section 14 and is pivotally attached to the first section 14 at a vertical pivot axis 16 mounted along one of the vertical sides of the first and second sections. Within the second section l5 is located a leadscrew 17 that is rotatable by a motor 18. Mounted in threaded engagement on the leadscrew 17 is a lead nut 19 such that the lead nut may travel in a substantially horizontal direction back and forth along the leadscrew 17 when it is rotated by the motor 18. A first linkage 20 of constant length is pivotally attached to both the lead nut 19 and the inner face of the first section 14. A third section in the form of an open channel box having substantially the same dimensions as the first and second sections 14, 15 is pivotally connected to the second section I 5 by a second pivot axis 22. The second pivot axis 22 is mounted on the opposite vertical edge of the second section 15 to that of the first pivot axis 16. A second constant length linkage 23 is pivotally connected between the third section 21 and the leadscrew 19. The first 14, second 15 and third section 21 of the per unit 1 3 are substantially the same dimensions and therefore et'fcctively form a rectangular box when in the enclosed position, as shown in Figure 7. l'hc display screen 5 is attached the third section 21.

lD Translation of the leadscrew 19 in the direction of the second pivot axis 22 causes the second pivoted linkage 23 to push the third section 21 in the direction of the display screen 5, thus forcing the third section 21 to pivot about the second axis 22. This is shown in l;i{gure 8. 'I'his translation of the lead nut 19 also causes the first linkage 20 to translate with it and a compression spring is therefore provided between the end of the linkage 20 not connected to the lead nut 19 and the first section. This end of the linkage 20 is preferably translates within a guide slot, or similar arrangement. 'I'ranslation of the lead nut 19 in the opposite direction causes the first linkage 20 to push the second 15 and third section 21 away from the fixed first section 14, thus causing the display screen 5 to pivot in the opposite direction about the first pivot axis 16. A further compression spring is therefore also provided between the second linkage 23 and the third section 21 to accommodate the translation of the lead nut 19 in this direction together with a further guide slot. It will be appreciated that other pivot mechanisms may be used to achieve the same desired results.

Figures 9 and 10 illustrate a tilting; mechanism constituting an embodiment of the present invention. The tilting mechanism 24 comprises a first section 25, which is arranged to be connected to either the pivot mechanism 13, the elevator mechanism 7 or directly to the upright section 2 of the screen support I. The first section 25 is a substantially rectangular box having horizontal sides longer than its vertical sides. A horizontal pivot is provided along the lowermost horizontal side and provides a pivoting connection to a second section 26 to which the display screen 5 is attached. A pivoting linkage 27 is provided between the first and second sections 25, 26 so as to limit the degree of available tilt. Figure 10 shows in plan view a mechanism by which the tilt may be controlled. A leadscrew 28 is attached to the first section 25 and can be rotatably driven by a motor 29. A lead nut 30 threadedly engaged with the leadscrew 28 such that rotation of the leadscrew 28 causes horizontal translation of the lead nut 30. A third linkage 31 is connected pivotally to both the second section 26 and the lead nut 30 such that rotation of the lead nut 30 causes the linkage 31 to push or pull the second section 26 of the tilt mechanism 24 either away from or back towards the first section 25. As previously, it will he appreciated that other mechanisms may be provided to achieve the same tilt facility as required.

Claims

( 11 CLAIMS

1. display screen support having a display screen holding mechanism movable between a first position which is adopted when a display screen being supported by the display screen support is not in operation, and at least one second position which is adopted when said display screen is in operation, the display screen support further having a powered transport mechanism arranged to move the holding mechanism between said first and at least one second position.

2. A display screen support according to claim 1, wherein the transport mechanism is arranged to move the holding mechanism between said first position and one of a plurality of second positions.

3. A display screen support according to claim 2, wherein each of said second positions is a predefined position.

4. display screen support according to claim 3, further comprising a selector device for selecting one of the plurality of predefined second positions.

5. A display screen support according to any preceding claim further comprising, a control unit arranged to detect activation of a display screen being supported by the screen support and to control the transport mechanism whereby the screen holding mechanism is moved between the first position and the least one second position in response to activation of the display screen.

6. A display screen support according to any one of claims 1 to 4 further comprising a control unit arranged to detect deactivation of a display screen being supported by the screen support and to control the transport mechanism whereby the screen holding mechanism is moved to the first position in response to deactivation of the display screen.

7. display screen support according to claim 5, wherein the control unit is further arranged to detect deactivation of the display screen and to control the transport mechanism whereby the display screen is moved to the first position

8. A display screen support according to any preceding; clahn, wherein the transport mechanism comprises an elevator mechanism arranged to vary the height of the screen holding mechanism.

9. A display screen support according to claim 87 wherein said elevator mechanism comprises a load relief mechanism having one or more of a counterweight and constant force spring.

10. A display screen support according to any preceding claim, wherein the transport mechanism comprises a pivot mechanism arranged to pivot the screen holding mechanism about a substantially vertical axis.

11. A display screen support according to claim 10, wherein the pivot mechanism is arranged to pivot the screen holding mechanism through a first are about a first substantially vertical axis and through a second are about second substantially vertical axis, the first and second axes being substantially parallel.

12. A display screen support according to any preceding claim, wherein the transport mechanism comprises a tilt mechanism arranged to tilt the screen holding; mechanism about a substantially horizontal axis.

13. A display screen support according to any preceding claim, wherein the transport mechanism is remote controlled.

14. A display screen support according to any preceding claim, wherein the transport mechanism is powered electrically, hydraulically or pneumatically.

15. A display screen support according to any preceding claim arranged to be floor standing,.

16. A display screen support according to any prccedinL; claim comprising a cable conduit arranged to route power and/or signal cables out of sight.

17.A display screen support according to any preceding claim arranged to support a plasma screen display.