GB2475977A

GB2475977A - Height and rotatably adjustable support device for a display

Info

Publication number: GB2475977A
Application number: GB1020561A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert Terence Portus
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-12-04
Filing date: 2010-12-03
Publication date: 2011-06-08
Also published as: GB201020561D0; GB0921284D0

Abstract

This invention discloses a lifting and rotation device for display apparatus 10, for example a plasma or LCD screen. The display apparatus 10 can be attached to support frame 2 and raised or lowered vertically which can be achieved by adjusting vertical members 8 and also rotated about a horizontal axis which may be about bearings 4. The display apparatus 10 may, for example, be tilted forward to facilitate viewing from a floor level position, or tilted back for viewing from a seated position. The display apparatus 10 may be positioned in a low horizontal plane to facilitate viewing by several persons seated around the display, or raised to a high horizontal or vertical plane for viewers in a standing position. The combined assembly may include vibratory feedback via mechanism 13 to the user when interacting with the display 10, and may include visual and other sensors 12 to detect the location, movement and appearance of the user for providing interaction with the display apparatus.

Description

Lifting and Rotating Device This invention relates to a device for raising, lowering and rotating display apparatus.

The use of a raising and lowering device for display apparatus e.g. a plasma/lcd monitor) in the vertical plane is well established, particularly in the field of education, where it is essential that users are able to see the display from a variety of positions. This is particularly true when students with learning difficulties are trying to react with the display by means of "screen touch" control. Students may be confined to wheelchairs or some sort of support frame, sometimes a vertical frame.

Clearly, access to a single touch sensitive display device is problematical in many situations, particularly if the students are reacting in a group activity.

To overcome problems of access and ease of use the present invention proposes, in addition to raising and lowering, a means of rotation of the display device about a horizontal axis approximately along the centre of gravity of the display. Typically the rotation axis would be along the width of the display, but may be along the vertical' centre line of the display.

The display may be rotated by manual movement against a suitable friction damping device, and locked into place by means of a brake or an index plate and locking plunger.

Rotation may also be made by powered means, typically an electric drive, preferably with worm or linear drive to obviate the need for index plate or brake. The display therefore may be inclined at many angles to the vertical, including horizontal.

The present invention may also include a device to provide tactile feedback to the user by means of a vibrating mechanism attached to the display apparatus, which itself may be mounted on flexible fixings.

By varying the frequency and pattern of vibrations, the user is given tactile feedback as different touch gestures are made on the touch-sensitive surface of the display apparatus.

In addition, the present invention may include motion and distance sensors to detect the location of the user in relation to the display apparatus, and may include a camera facing the user, to collect images or movement of the user. These data may be used to provide further interaction in addition to the touch sensitive surface of the display.

S

The invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:-Figure 1 shows the assembly with the display device attached, the display device being in the vertical plane, at a low height setting.

Figure 2 shows the assembly with the display device attached, the display device being in the horizontal plane, at a high height setting.

Figure 3 shows component parts of the assembly.

In fig. I the horizontal base member 1 has attached to it two vertical support members 8 which are extendable vertically by means, typically but not exclusively, of an inbuilt electric linear actuator mechanism. The width of horizontal base member 1 (left -right in fig 1) may be adjusted to the display device requirements. At the top of each of the vertical support members 8 is fitted a support bracket 3, or, support bracket 7 as an alternative. Camera and sensors 12 detect user location, movement & appearance, and mechanism 13 provides tactile feedback by creating vibrations which are transmitted through the display device 10 to the user touching its surface.

Support bracket 7 is typically fitted with an index pin 11 which facilitates engagement with index plate 5 to stop rotation in bearings 4.The rear of display device 10 is fixed to and supported by frame 2. Frame 2, the width of which is adjustable according to the display device width, is supported by bearings 4 at each end. Bearings 4 are held in position at each end by support brackets 3 or 7, depending upon the choice of index pin 11 mounting.

The index plate 5 may be fitted so that index pin 11 when fitted to either bracket 6, as shown on the left hand side of fig.1., or to bracket 7 as shown on the right-hand side of fig. 1. , can engage with index plate 5.

The index plate 5 which is affixed to one or both ends of support frame 2, allows the display device 10, when attached to support frame 2 and suspended on bearings 4, to rotate to beyond vertical and beyond horizontal. Complete 360 degree rotation, with indexing may be achieved with a 360 degree index plate.

Two options of index plate 5 engagement are shown at opposite sides of fig 1 Normally it is desirable to position the index plate 5 and index pin 11 so that the index pin 11 may be visible or hidden from a viewer placed in front of a vertical display device 10, and not protrude above a horizontal display device 10. If the index plate 5 is required to protrude above a horizontal display device 10 then support bracket 3 is used.

Bracket 6 is affixed to and above bracket 3 and contains pin 11. This arrangement is shown above the left hand side vertical support member 8 in fig. 1. This arrangement may be fitted to one or both top surfaces of the vertical support members 8. The index plate 5 may be fitted with a suitable friction damping device which bears upon the facing surface of support brackets 3 or 7. The top of internal moving actuator 9 which is contained in vertical support member 8 is shown partly deployed for clarity. in Fig.2 the position of index plate 5, although partially hidden by the vertical support member, has been revealed for clarity.

For powered operation of display screen 10 rotation the index plate 5 is replaced by a gear wheel which engages with a motor drive, preferably with worm gear reduction to lock the display in position when stationary. The motor is attached to 9. The top surfaces of moving actuator 9 may be rigidly connected to each other to add mechanical stability. This rigid connection may also support ancilliary apparatus, for example, and not restricted to, power supplies, motor drivers and display computer. Such a rigid connection will not readily allow full 360 degree rotation. Extensions of this support may incorporate loudspeakers or a computer arranged on a hinged arm to extend beyond the width of the display device.

Full 360 degree rotation is achieved by capping the ends of bearing 4 so as not to allow axial movement.

Control of powered operation of raising and rotation actuators/motors may be accomplished by several means, for example, wiring from control buttons, infrared remote control, wireless remote control.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A lifting and rotating device comprising attachment means for attaching the device to display apparatus in order to raise or lower the display apparatus and independently rotate the display apparatus about a horizontal axis.
2. A lifting and rotating device according to Claim 1 in which the lifting means remains in position, when movement is terminated, at any height within the movement range.
3. A lifting and rotating device according to Claim 2 in which the rotating means may be held in position, when rotation is terminated, at any angle of rotation, or at one of a selection of angles of rotation.
4. A lifting and rotating device according to Claim 3 in which the freedom of rotation is damped by asuitable device.
5. A lifting and rotating device according to Claim 4 in which the rotation may be locked at one or both extremities of the horizontal axis.
6. A lifting and rotating device according to Claim 5 in which the rotation of the display apparatus may be accomplished by manual operation or by powered means.
7. A lifting and rotating device according to any of the preceding claims in which the display apparatus is encased in a surround about its periphery which provides impact cushioning.
8. A lifting and rotating device according to Claim 7 in which the display apparatus surround is covered in an anti-bacterial coating.
9. A lifting and rotating device according to any of the preceding claims in which a vibrating mechanism provides tactile feedback to the user.
10. A lifting and rotating device according to any of the preceding claims in which a camera collects static and moving images of the user to provide interactive services to the user.
11. A Lifting and rotating device according to any of the preceding claims in which one or more sensors collect(s) data on the location and movement of the user to provide interactive services to the user.Amendments to the Claims have been filed as followsCLAI MS1. A lifting and rotating device supported on each side by vertical support members and comprising attachment means for attaching the device to display apparatus in order to raise or lower the display apparatus and independently rotate the display apparatus by up to 360 degrees about a horizontal axis.2. A lifting and rotating device according to Claim 1 in which the lifting means remains in position, when movement is terminated, at any height within the movement range.3. A lifting and rotating device according to Claim 2 in which the rotating means may be held in position, when rotation is terminated, at any angle of rotation, or at one of a selection of angles of rotation.4. A lifting and rotating device according to Claim 3 in which the freedom of rotation is damped by asuitable device.5. A lifting and rotating device according to Claim 4 in which the rotation may be locked at one or both extremities of the horizontal axis.6. A lifting and rotating device according to Claim 5 in which the rotation of the display apparatus may be accomplished by manual operation or by powered means.7. A lifting and rotating device according to any of the preceding claims in which the display apparatus is encased in a surround about its periphery which provides impact cushioning.8. A lifting and rotating device according to Claim 7 in which the display apparatus surround is covered in an anti-bacterial coating.9. A lifting and rotating device according to any of the preceding claims in which a vibrating mechanism provides tactile feedback to the user.10. A lifting and rotating device according to any of the preceding claims in which a camera collects static and moving images of the user to provide interactive services to the user.*....: 11. A lifting and rotating device according to any of the preceding claims in which one or more * * sensors collect(s) data on the location and movement of the user to provide interactive services to the user. S. ** * . . * * * S. * S * *. S. * S * S * *.