GB2433196A

GB2433196A - Monitor support apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2433196A
Application number: GB0525303A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul Malcolm Smith
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-12-13
Filing date: 2005-12-13
Publication date: 2007-06-20
Also published as: GB0525303D0

Abstract

An apparatus for supporting a monitor or a computer display comprising an anchor member 3 and a monitor support member or mounting plate 2, the anchor member and the monitor support member being displaceable linearly relative to one another. The apparatus further comprises biasing means 1 disposed between the anchor member and the monitor support member. The biasing means is configured to urge the monitor support member away from the anchor member. The biasing means may be a gas strut that balances the weight of the monitor. The housing 4 can have guide runners on its internal walls to give vertical linear movement of the mounting plate relative to the anchor member. The guiding means can be configured to telescope in the direction of displacement. The support apparatus can be attached to a desk which can have an opening allowing passage of the monitor therethrough.

Description

Supporting Apparatus The present invention relates to supporting

apparatus, and in particular to supporting apparatus for supporting a monitor.

Space in environments where computers are used can be limited, and ways of reducing the space taken up by a computer desk can mean that more computer desks can be used in a given space. Examples of places where it is required to reduce the space taken up by a computer desk include classrooms, offices and libraries, where many computer desks may need deployment.

In particular, in classrooms, a desk may need to double up as a computer desk giving access to a keyboard and a display device such as a monitor, and also as an empty desk on which work that does not require a computer may also be done. When a computer is not required, the keyboard and monitor are stowed away.

Monitors cause a particular problem for space saving, as they are bulky.

Referring to Figure 1 herein, there is illustrated schematically a prior art computer desk having a lifting device for a monitor. The monitor 101 is attached to the desk 102 via a pivoting lifting arm 103. When the monitor 101 is not required, it is lowered on the pivoting lifting arm 103 to a position at the rear and below the surface of the desk 102. When the monitor 101 is required, it is raised on the pivoting lifting arm 103 to a position above the surface of the desk 102 where it is visible to a user.

A problem with this arrangement is that the pivoting lifting arm 103 moves in an arc, as shown by arrow 104. This swings the monitor 101 to one side of the desk 102 as it is raised or lowered. The width 105 of the desk must be made larger to accommodate the arc movement. It would be desirable to reduce the width 105 of the desk.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for supporting a monitor comprising: an anchor member; a monitor support member displaceable linearly relative to the anchor member; biasing means disposed between the anchor member and the monitor support member, the biasing means being configured to urge the monitor support member away from the anchor member.

Preferably, the biasing means is configured to urge the anchor member away from the monitor support member with a force configured to counter the weight of a monitor, so as to balance the anchor member and the monitor support member at a desired displacement relative to one another.

It is preferred that the monitor support member is configured, in use, to be linearly displaced relative to the anchor member in a substantially vertical direction.

In a preferred embodiment, the biasing means comprises a gas strut.

It is preferred that the anchor member is attachable to a desk.

Preferably, the monitor support member is attachable to a monitor.

The apparatus preferably comprises guiding means, the guiding means configured to guide the movement of the monitor support member relative to the anchor member in the direction of linear displacement.

It is preferred that the guiding means comprises at least one guide runner.

Preferably, the guiding means is configured to telescope in the direction of linear displacement.

A computer display system is provided comprising: a desk; a monitor; a monitor support apparatus as described above, wherein the anchor member is attached to the desk; and wherein the monitor is attached to the monitor support member.

Preferably, the desk comprises an opening in a surface of the desk, the opening configured to allow a passage of the monitor therethrough.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a desk comprising: an anchor member attached to the desk; biasing means supported by the anchor member; a monitor support member supported by the biasing means; wherein the anchor member and the monitor support member are substantially vertically displaceable linearly relative to one another; and the biasing means is configured to urge the monitor support member away from the anchor member; According to a third aspect there is provided a supporting apparatus comprising: a first member; a second member, the second member being displaceable relative to the first member; a gas strut disposed between the first member and the second member, the gas strut configured to urge the second member away from the first member; a first guide means and a second guide means between the members, the guide means configured to guide the movement of the second member to ensure the displacement of the second member relative to the first member is linear.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 illustrates schematically a prior art computer desk having a lifting device for a monitor.

Figure 2a illustrates a front elevation view of a supporting apparatus.

Figure 2b illustrates a side elevation view of the supporting apparatus.

Figure 2c illustrates a rear elevation view of the supporting apparatus.

Figure 3 illustrates schematically a front elevation view of the supporting apparatus attached to a desk.

Figure 4 illustrates a front elevation view of a Vesa mounting plate of the supporting apparatus.

Figure 5 illustrates a front elevation view of a mounting plate of the supporting apparatus.

Figure 6 illustrates a supporting apparatus knob.

Figure 7 illustrates a supporting apparatus head unit of the supporting apparatus.

Figure 8 illustrates a supporting apparatus housing of the supporting apparatus.

Figure 9 illustrates a supporting apparatus latch bridge of the supporting apparatus.

Figure 10 illustrates a supporting apparatus Vesa mounting block of the supporting apparatus.

Detailed Description of Certain Embodiments

Referring to Figures 2a, 2b and 2c herein, there are illustrated views of a supporting apparatus for a monitor. The supporting apparatus comprises an anchor member in the form of a mounting plate 3, a monitor support member in the form of a Vesa mounting plate 2, and biasing means in the form of a gas strut 1. A gas strut is effectively a gas spring that operates by compressing gas contained within the gas strut. The biasing strength of a gas struts can be selected depending on the gas pressure within the strut.

The gas strut I is connected at a first end to the housing plate 3 and at a second end to the Vesa mounting plate 2. The gas strut 1 therefore biases the housing plate and the Vesa mounting plate 2 away from one another. A housing 4 is provided in which the Vesa mounting plate 2 can move. The housing 4 comprises 3 sets of guide runners disposed at the rear of the housing 4 and at either side of the housing 4. The guide runners guide the movement of the Vesa mounting plate 2 to ensure that the movement of the Vesa mounting plate 2 remains linear relative to the mounting plate 3.

The guide runners are each formed in three parts that can extend or retract telescopically as the Vesa mounting plate 2 moves relative to the mounting plate 3. This is to ensure that as the Vesa mounting plate 2 moves towards the mounting plate 3, the guide runners retract telescopically and do not remain in place above the Vesa mounting plate 2.

A spring lock 20 is provided on the housing towards the mounting plate 3.

When the Vesa mounting plate 2 is pushed close to the mounting plate 3, the spring lock 20 is activated and locks the Vesa mounting plate 2 in position.

When it is desired to move the Vesa mounting plate away from the mounting plate 3, the user pushes down on a knob 19 provided adjacent to the Vesa mounting plate 2 to unlock the spring lock 20, and the Vesa mounting plate 2 can be urged by the gas strut I away from the mounting plate 3.

Referring to Figure 3, there is illustrated schematically a front elevation view of the supporting apparatus attached to a desk. A monitor 301, a desk 302 and a supporting apparatus 303 are provided. The supporting apparatus 303 is attached to the desk 302 by the mounting plate 3. The monitor 301 is attached to the Vesa mounting plate 2 of the supporting apparatus 303. When the monitor is in use, the gas strut urges the Vesa mounting plate 2 and hence the monitor 301 away from the mounting plate 3. An opening (not shown) is provided in the surface of the desk 302 to allow the monitor 301 to pass through the surface of the desk 302. When the monitor 301 is no longer required, a user pushes the knob 19 downwards, overcoming the force of the gas strut 1, and urging the monitor 301 towards the mounting plate 3. When the monitor 301 is fully below the surface of the desk 302, the spring lock 20 locks and holds the monitor 301 below the desk.

By attaching the monitor 301 to the Vesa mounting plate, the monitor 301 can be moved vertically and linearly relative to the desk 302, either up or down in the directions shown by arrow 304. This linear movement means that the monitor 301 does not swing out to one side as it moves up or down, thereby decreasing the minimum possible width of the desk 302.

The gas strut I is selected such that the force exerted by the gas strut 1 to urge the Vesa mounting plate 2 away from the mounting plate 3 is approximately equal to the force exerted by the weight of the monitor 301, when the monitor 301 is attached to the Vesa mounting plate 2. It has been found that a gas strut that exerts a force of around 55 Newtons is suitable. The advantage of balancing the force exerted by the gas strut I with the weight of the monitor 301 is that the monitor can be moved to a desired displacement away from the mounting plate 3, and the monitor 301 will remain in that position. This allows the height of the monitor 301 relative to the desk 302 to be selected by the user depending on the monitor height that is most comfortable for the user.

Referring to Figure 4, there is illustrate a front elevation view of the Vesa mounting plate of the supporting apparatus. The monitor attachment point comprises standard attachment points for attaching a flat screen monitor.

Referring to Figure 5, there is illustrated a front elevation view of the mounting plate 3 of the supporting apparatus. The mounting plate 4 has points at which to attach the mounting plate to a desk and points at which to attach the mounting plate 3 to the housing 4.

Referring to Figure 6, there is illustrated the supporting apparatus knob 19. The supporting apparatus knob 19 has a point at which a head unit 6 can be attached.

Referring to Figure 7, there is illustrates a supporting apparatus head unit 6 of the supporting apparatus.

Referring to Figure 8, there is illustrated a supporting apparatus housing 4 of the supporting apparatus. The housing 4 has a substantially U-shaped cross section, and is configured to house guide runners on its three internal walls.

The guide runners ensure that the Vesa mounting plate 2 moves in a linear direction relative to the mounting plate 3.

Referring to Figure 9, there is illustrated a supporting apparatus latch bridge of the supporting apparatus. The supporting apparatus latch bridge 20 releasably locks the Vesa mounting plate 2 relative to the mounting plate 3 when the monitor 301 is stowed away under the desk 302.

Referring to Figure 10, there is illustrated a supporting apparatus Vesa mounting block 5 of the supporting apparatus. The mounting block 5 is required to maintain the Vesa mounting plate 2 at a required angle relative to the housing 4. The Vesa mounting block 5 has opposing faces which are disposed at 12 relative to one another. The Vesa mounting block 5 operatively connects the Vesa mounting plate 2 to the gas strut 1.

According to a second specific embodiment, the force exerted by the gas strut is greater than the force exerted by the weight of a monitor. This means that when the monitor is stowed away below the desk 302 it is held in place by the catch lock 20. When the user desires to use the monitor, the catch lock 20 is released and the gas strut I urges the monitor upwards away from the mounting plate 3 to a maximum height. The height of the monitor can therefore not be adjusted relative to the desk, but moves between two positions; the first stowed position below the surface of the desk, and the second, in-use position.

In all other respects, the second specific embodiment is identical with the first specific embodiment, It will be appreciated by the person of skill in the art that various modifications may be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, whilst the above embodiment describes the mounting plate 3 as being attached to a desk, it will be appreciated that the mounting plate 3 may be attached to a wall placed on a floor surface.

Claims

Claims 1. An apparatus for supporting a monitor comprising: an anchor

member; a monitor support member displaceable linearly relative to the anchor member; biasing means disposed between the anchor member and the monitor support member, the biasing means being configured to urge the monitor support member away from the anchor member.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said biasing means is configured to urge the anchor member away from the monitor support member with a force configured to counter the weight of a monitor, so as to balance the anchor member and the monitor support member at a desired displacement relative to one another.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the monitor support member is configured, in use, to be linearly displaced relative to the anchor member in a substantially vertical direction.

4. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding wherein said biasing means comprises a gas strut.

5. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the anchor member is attachable to a desk.

6. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the monitor support member is attachable to a monitor.

7. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising guiding means, the guiding means configured to guide the movement of the monitor support member relative to the anchor member in the direction of linear displacement.

8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein said guiding means comprises at least one guide runner.

9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 7 or claim 8 wherein said guiding means is configured to telescope in the direction of linear displacement.

10. A computer display system comprising: a desk; a monitor; a monitor support apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the anchor member is attached to the desk; and wherein the monitor is attached to the monitor support member.

11. A computer display system as claimed in claim 10 where the desk comprises an opening in a surface of the desk configured to allow a passage of the monitor therethrough.

12. A desk comprising: an anchor member attached to the desk; biasing means supported by the anchor member; a monitor support member supported by the biasing means; wherein the anchor member and the monitor support member are substantially vertically displaceable linearly relative to one another; and the biasing means is configured to urge the monitor support member away from the anchor member; 13. A supporting apparatus comprising: a first member; a second member, the second member being displaceable relative to the first member; a gas strut disposed between the first member and the second member, the gas strut configured to urge the second member away from the first member; a first guide means and a second guide means between the members, the guide means configured to guide the movement of the second member to ensure the displacement of the second member relative to the first member is linear.

14. A lifting apparatus substantially as described herein with reference to accompanying figures 2 to 10.