NL2018877B1 - Coupling and coupling system for swivably coupling an arm to a post, in particular for coupling a monitor arm to a support - Google Patents

Abstract

A coupling for swivably coupling an arm to a post, the coupling in use cooperating with the post as an engaged element via a post interface, and with the arm as an engaged element via an arm interface, wherein the coupling including its interfaces provides limited relative rotational movement between the arm and the post about a swivel axis extending along a longitudinal axis of the post, wherein the limited rotational movement is provided in a rotational zone that corresponds to a single revolution about the longitudinal axis. The disclosure further relates to a coupling system, and to a monitor support.

Description

Patent center

The Netherlands

NL BI 2018877

(21) Application number: 2018877 © Application submitted: 09/05/2017

2018877

BI PATENT @ Int. CL:

F16M 11/08 (2018.01) F16M 11/20 (2018.01) F16M 11/24 (2018.01) F16M 13/02 (2018.01)

(30) Priority: (73) Patent holder (s): 11/17/2016 WO PCT / NL2016 / 050798 Vlaar Innovations B.V. in Midwoud. (Tl) Application registered: (72) Inventor (s): 25/05/2018 Erik Jacobus Vlaar in Midwoud. (43) Application published: - (74) Agent: ir. C.M. Jansen et al. In The Hague. Patent granted: 25/05/2018 (45) Patent issued: 13/06/2018

Coupling and coupling system for swivably coupling an arm to a post, in particular for coupling a monitor to a support (57) A coupling for swivably coupling an arm to a post, the coupling in use cooperating with the post as an engaged element via a post interface, and with the arm as an engaged element via an arm interface, regarding the coupling including its interfaces provides limited relative rotational movement between the arm and the post about a swivel axis extending along a longitudinal axis of the post, being the limited rotational movement is provided in a rotational zone that conforms to a single revolution about the longitudinal axis. The disclosure further relates to a coupling system, and to a monitor support.

This patent has been granted regardless of the attached result of the research into the state of the art and written opinion. The patent corresponds to the documents originally submitted.

P115131NL00

Title: Coupling and coupling system for swivably coupling an arm to a post, in particular for coupling a monitor to a support arm

The invention generally relates to a coupling for swivably coupling an arm to a post, in particular for coupling an monitor arm to a support, for example for swivably coupling an monitor arm to a post or a desk monitor stand or a wall monitor mount. Monitor supports are well known, and are used to position monitors, typically flat panel displays, at a desired viewing position on a desk or a wall. Typically, a monitor support comprises a post that extends along a longitudinal axis, a monitor arm for supporting a monitor radially outward relative to the longitudinal axis of the post, and a coupling with which the monitor arm is in use is swivably coupled to the post. The post may e.g. be supported on a desk or wall, directly via e.g. a clamp or plate, or indirectly via specified a further arm.

Monitor stands may be fairly complex in their configuration in practice, and may include several posts. A desk monitor stand may e.g. include a first post that is embodied as a main column that is supported by the desk, and that swivably carries a monitor arm via a coupling. Such first post may include a mounting track so that, in addition to a swivel angle of the monitor arm, the position of the arm on the longitudinal axis or the post may be set to position the monitor at a desired height above the desk. A desk monitor stand may also include a post that is embodied as an intermediate post, e.g., in case of an articulated monitor arm that includes two arms that are swivably connected to a common post via a link, e.g., to increase the reach of the stand.

Also, the configuration of a monitor stand may further be complicated because the monitor stand may have multiple monitor arms, eg a single post that is embodied as a main column may carry two or more separate arms to allow different monitors carried on the stand to each service another desk, or to allow more monitors to be placed in a compound viewing plane or a single desk. A post need not always extend upright, but may e.g. also extend transversely, e.g. in case or monitor support that is embodied as a wall mount or a (cross) bar.

Typically, upon manufacture or installation a monitor support needs to be configured so that its arm services are a specific area, e.g. depending on the position of the stand on the desk. This way, it can be prevented that the monitor can touch a back wall, or a left or right side wall during adjustment. Also, it may be prevented that a monitor reaches outside of a service area into another service area, e.g. a service area or an adjoining desk. This is typically done by using complex mechanisms and specific parts to control the arms about the posts.

Of an existing monitor support needs to be reconfigured so that its arm can service a new service area, eg when the stand is moved to a different position on a desk, to a different desk, or when a stand is reconfigured to carry a different number or arms and / or monitors.

Due to the complexity, monitor arm stands are relatively costly to manufacture, and (re) configuration involves a relatively complex operation, which typically requires tools and / or substitution of parts. The invention aims to provide a coupling for swivably coupling an arm to a post, in particular for swivably coupling an monitor to a post or a monitor support, with which these problems are alleviated. In particular, the invention aims to provide a coupling for swivably coupling an arm to a post that allows configuration and re-configuration in a simple operation, without requiring substitution of parts and / or tools, and that is inexpensive to manufacture. Thereto, the invention provides a coupling for swivably coupling an arm to a post, the coupling in use cooperating with the post as an engaged element via a post interface, and with the arm as an engaged element via an arm interface, including the coupling including its interfaces provides limited relative rotational movement between the arm and the post about a swivel axis extending along a longitudinal axis of the post, the limited rotational movement is provided in a rotational zone that provides a single revolution about the longitudinal axis.

By providing relative rotational movement through the coupling and / or its interfaces that is limited, and in a rotational zone that conforms to a single revolution, a construction is obtained that is simple and that allows for easy reconfiguration.

The limited relative rotational movement may be provided in one of the interfaces, or in both interfaces. As an alternative or in addition, it may also be provided within the coupling itself.

The limited relative rotational movement provided by the coupling and its interfaces may be provided in rotational sub-zones that in one orientation of the coupling are less than a single revolution, and that through reorientation of the coupling about its swivel axis relative to arm and / or post together correspond to a single revolution. In such a case, the coupling can in a specific orientation not complete a full revolution, but facilitates through reorientation that the work area can be selected from rotational sub zones that correspond together to a full revolution.

A single revolution as meant is a about a full turn. It preferably depends on 360 degrees, but may in practice be slightly more or slightly less, e.g. more than 330 or 345 degrees, and less than 375 or 390 degrees.

The post interface and the arm interface may include a rotation limiter that is in use with the rotational movement of the interface relative to its engaged element about a swivel axis that extends along a longitudinal axis of the post. At least one of the post interface and the arm interface may include a non-fixating rotation limiter that is in use engages its engaged element with a limited rotational stroke to allow limited relative rotation about the swivel axis between the arm and the post.

By providing a coupling that includes a rotation limiter on both the post and the arm interface, at least one of which is non-fixating with limited stroke, swiveling or the arm on the post may be controlled relatively easily, and (re) configuration can be simplified using a relatively inexpensive part.

The coupling may comprise a substantially cylindrical body portion that extends along the swivel axis. A radial inner mantle surface of the body portion may be part of the post interface, and a radial outer mantle surface of the body portion may be part of the arm interface. This way, the coupling may form a bushing arranged between the post and the monitor arm. This allows for a simple and elegant construction. Such coupling bushing may be manufactured from plastics material e.g. through injection molding. The coupling bushing may be a single part, but may also be composed of several parts. By arranging the other of the post interface and the arm interface to include a fixating rotation limiter that is in use rotationally fixedly engages its engaged element to prevent relative rotation about the swivel axis, a coupling may be provided or simple operation, and with which (re ) configuration can be intuitive.

By arranging both the post interface and arm interface to include a non-fixating rotation limiter, a coupling may be provided with which swiveling or a single, complete rotation or 360 ° can be obtained relatively easily, through aggregation of the limited free strokes at both interfaces. Both non-fixating rotation limiters may then have the same swivel axis.

By arranging the rotation limiter to be reversibly adjustable between a non-fixating and a fixating position, (re) configuration may be simplified further.

By arranging the rotation limiter to include protrusion, construction and (re) configuration may be simplified further. The protrusion may extend radially relative to the swivel axis, e.g., radial inwardly when arranged at the post interface, and radial outwardly when arranged at the arm interface. The protrusion may extend parallel to the swivel axis. Elegantly, the protrusion may be embodied as a tab that is arranged to engage a corresponding slot in the engaged element at the interface that also extends parallel along the swivel axis. The slot may be in swiveling direction about the longitudinal axis or matching size to receive the tab without play so as to form a fixating rotation limiter. As an alternative, the slot may in swiveling direction be oversized to receive tab with play to form a non-fixating rotation limiter with limited stroke.

The coupling may include at least two protrusions, each having a slot to increase stability. Elegantly, more slots are provided than protrusions, so that for each protrusion one out of more slots may be selected to engage. This facilitates (re) configuration of the coupling without the need to substitute parts.

In particular, the coupling may be arranged to engage the post and the arm in two or more discrete rotational orientations about the swivel axis relative to the arm and / or the post, each orientation allowing limited relative rotation about the swivel axis along a different trajectory , corresponding to a rotational sub zone. To facilitate its discrete rotational orientations, the coupling may be engageable on the post in different positions about its axis, and / or it may be reversible upside down.

By embodying the rotation limiter to include a groove that is in use cooperates with the engaged element at the interface via a traveler, a reliable non-fixating rotation limiter may be provided at low cost.

The traveler may be embodied as an intermediate element between the engaged elements at the interface. As an alternative, the traveler may also be a part of the engaged element at the interface, e.g. a finger.

Elegantly, the groove is a ball race, and the traveler is a ball. This way, a non-fixating rotation limiter may be provided that is inexpensive, has good running properties, and that can easily be made adjustable.

The groove may extend over the swivel axis less than 360 °, and may e.g. form a ring segment. The coupling may include two or more such grooves, each of different angular orientation with respect to the swivel axis.

The groove may also extend over the swivel axis 360 ° or more, and can then e.g. form a helix.

The invention also relates to a coupling system including a post and an arm, and a coupling as discussed above. The system may be sold as a kit. In assembled condition the post interface may engage the post, and the arm interface may engage the arm.

The arm may be provided with a recess for receiving the arm interface or coupling. The arm may e.g. include a further coupling for receiving a monitor.

The arm may include an adjustable stop, e.g., a track with one or more stop screw (s) that may be used to limit or prevent travel of the ball in the groove.

The post may be provided on a further arm. This way, a reliable articulated arm may be formed cost effectively, that can also be (re) configured in a simple operation by eg lifting the coupling up from the post along the swivel axis, rotationally reorienting the coupling relative to the post, and pushing the coupling back down on the post along the swivel axis.

The post may be provided with a clamp, e.g. in a case or a desk mount.

The invention also relates to a monitor support including at least one post that extends along a longitudinal axis, a monitor arm for supporting a monitor radially outward relative to the longitudinal axis of the post, and at least one coupling as discussed above with which the monitor arm is in use swivably coupled to said post.

The post of the monitor support may be embodied as a first post and / or as an intermediate post.

The coupling may be reliably held in an aperture in the monitor arm, e.g., a substantial ring-shaped aperture that in use at least partially surrounds the circumference of the post.

It should be noted that the technical features described above in each paragraph may have been embodied in a coupling, coupling system or monitor support, isolated from the context of the paragraph in which it is described here, and separate from features described in other paragraphs, or in combination with only a number of features described in the paragraph or in combination with the features or only one or a selection of such paragraphs. In accordance with this disclosure, each of these features may be combined with any other feature described, in any combination.

The invention will be further elucidated on the basis of nonhmitative example represented in the drawings. In the drawings:

FIG. shows a schematic exploded view of a first embodiment of the invention for swivably coupling an arm to a post;

FIG. lb shows a schematic cross section of fig the differing in that the embodiment is shown in assembled condition in which the coupling couples the arm to the post;

FIG. 2a shows a schematic exploded view of a first configuration of an application of the first embodiment of the invention for swivably coupling an arm to a post;

FIG. 2b shows a schematic exploded view or a second configuration of an application of the first embodiment of the invention for swivably coupling an arm to a post;

FIG. 2c shows a schematic exploded view of a third configuration of an application of the first embodiment of the invention for swivably coupling an arm to a post;

FIG. 2d shows a schematic exploded view of a fourth configuration of an application of the first embodiment of the invention for swivably coupling an arm to a post;

FIG. 3a shows a schematic exploded view of a second embodiment of the invention for swivably coupling an arm to a post in which a first post has broad slots as well as non-fixating rotation limiters;

FIG. 3b shows a schematic exploded view of a second configuration of the second embodiment of the invention for swivably coupling an arm to a post in which a second arm, carrying a second post, has been 180 ° reconfigured;

FIG. 4a shows a schematic exploded view of a third embodiment of the invention for swivably coupling an arm to a post in which the configuration is kinematically inverted;

FIG. 4b shows a schematic exploded view of a second configuration of the third embodiment of the invention for swivably coupling an arm to a post in which a second arm, carrying a second post, has been 180 ° reconfigured;

FIG. 5a shows a schematic exploded view of a fourth edition of the invention for swivably coupling an arm to a post in which a helical groove includes adjustable stops;

FIG. 5b shows a schematic cross section of Fig. 5a shows different figures in the illustrated condition in which the coupling couples the arm to the post;

FIG. 6a shows a schematic exploded view of a fifth edition of the invention for swivably coupling an arm to a post;

FIG. 6b shows a schematic cross section of Fig. 6a shows different figures in the illustrated condition in which the coupling couples the arm to the post;

FIG. 7a shows a schematic exploded view of a sixth embodiment of the invention for swivably coupling an arm to a post;

FIG. 7b shows a schematic cross section of Fig. 7a is different in that the embodiment is shown in assembled condition in which the coupling couples the arm to the post, and

FIG. 8 shows a schematic exploded view of a seventh edition of the invention for swivably coupling an arm to a post in which the post includes four slots.

It should be noted that the figures are merely schematic representations of preferred expiry or invention. In the figures, identical or corresponding parts are represented with the same reference numerals.

Referring to FIG. la and lb, a first embodiment of the invention is shown including a coupling 11 for swivably coupling an arm 9 to a post 6. The coupling 11 cooperates with the post 6 as an engaged element via a post interface 13, and with the arm 9 as an engaged element via an arm interface

12. The coupling 11 is a hero in a substantially ring-shaped aperture 10 that surrounds the circumference of the post 6. The coupling 11 comprises a substantial cylindrical body portion that extends along the swivel axis A and that forms a single part bushing that is arranged between the post 6 and the monitor arm 9.

The post interface 13 includes a radial outer mantle surface of the post 6, and a radial inner mantle surface of the body portion of the coupling

11. The arm interface 12 includes a radial outer mantle surface of the body portion of the coupling 11, and a radial inner mantle surface of the arm 9. Both the post interface 13 and the arm interface 12 include a rotation limiter that in use hmits rotational movement of the interface relative to its engaged element about a swivel axis A that extends along a longitudinal axis of the post 6.

The rotation limiter on the post interface 13 here is a fixating rotation limiter which includes a protrusion 14. The protrusion is embodied as a tab 15 that extends radially inwardly, from the inner surface of the coupling 11, towards the swivel axis A. tab 15 is arranged to engage a corresponding slot 7 or matching size in the post 6, which also extends parallel along the swivel axis A.

The rotation limiter on the arm interface here is a non-fixating rotation limiter that is in use engages with the arm 9 with a hmited rotational stroke to allow limited relative rotation about the swivel axis A between the arm 9 and the post 6.

The non-fixating rotation limiter comprises a helical groove 18, on the outer mantle surface of the coupling 11, that in use cooperates with the arm 9 via a traveler 19. The groove 18 is embodied as a ball race that extends over the swivel axis A in a helical path or 360 °, and that forms a ring segment. The traveler 19 is embodied as a ball 20, which is a hero in a drop-in slot 21 at the aperture 10 in the arm. Via the non-fixating rotation hiter formed by the ball 20 and groove arrangement 18, a limited rotational movement is provided in a rotational zone that conforms to a single revolution about the longitudinal axis A.

Referring to FIG. 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d, an application of the first embodiment of the invention is shown that forms a monitor support 4 that is embodied as a monitor desk mount. It includes a post 6 that is provided with a clamp 5. The desk clamp 5 is mounted substantially in the middle of a rear edge or a desk 1. On the post 6 that is carried on the clamp 5 a configuration is mounted that basically agreed discussed above, but that differs in the use of two protrusions 14, and two slots 7. The post 6 on the clamp 5 forms a first post 6 of the monitor support 4, about which a lower arm 9 may be swivably coupled via a first coupling 11. The end of the lower arm carries a second post 8, about which an upper arm 9 is swivably coupled via a second coupling 11 to form an articulate monitor arm. The second coupling 11 is identical to the first coupling 11 (except for its height), and the intermediate post 8 is configured similar to the first post 6 to match the coupling 11. The free end of the upper arm 9 carries a further post 8 , and a swivel bracket 3 which carries a monitor 2.

FIG. 2a shows a first configuration in which the groove 18 and ball of both the first and second coupling 11 cooperate to limit rotation when the upper and lower arms 9 overlap, i.e. cooperate to act as an end-stop against further rotation. This can be used to protect a back wall when a monitor 2 is pushed away in front of the user, see arrows D. Clockwise movement of the lower arm 9 about the first post 6 is free for 360 degrees, and so is counterclockwise movement of the upper arm 9 relative to the intermediate post 8.

FIG. 2b shows a second configuration that conforms to FIG. 2a, but that differs in that first coupling 11 has been reoriented by lifting it off the first post 6, rotating it together with the lower arm 9 180 degrees about the swivel axis A relative to the post 6, and replacing it on the post 6. The upper arm 9 has been readjusted by rotating it 360 degrees about the intermediate post 8, so that it again overlaps the lower arm 9, but now both arms 9 are located on the left of the first post 6 instead of on the right as they did in FIG. 2a. The rotation limiters now cooperate to limit rotation equal to Fig. 2a. i.e. when the arm 9 is in front of a user and a monitor 2 is pushed away. However, now counterclockwise movement of the lower arm 9 about the first post 6 is free for 360 degrees, and so is clockwise movement of the second arm 9 about the intermediate post 8. The different situations in the drawings can be recognized by looking at the directions of the situation locators 25, and the arrows D. With this way of reconfiguring and readjusting, the articulate arm 4 can be set for specific situations, without using tools or without using different parts. Alternatively, the configuration or Fig. 2a can be brought into the configuration of FIG. 2b, by changing the 180 ° reorientation into a 180 ° readjusting step in assembled condition. In this case the lower arm 9 will not be rotation limited, but gives free clockwise rotational movement and does not protect against movement to a back wall.

FIG. 2c shows a third configuration that conforms to Figs. 2a, but that differs in that monitor stand 4 has been relocated with its desk clamp 5 to a left corner of a desk 1. As an alternative to a clamp 5, the desk may be provided with a corner grommet mount. The configuration further differs into the upper arm 9 carried by the second post 8 has been reconfigured by lifting the second coupling 11 up from the second post 8 along the swivel axis, rotationally reorienting the coupling 11 by 180 ° about the swivel axis A relative to the post 8, and pushing the coupling 11 back down on the post 8 along the swivel axis. The upper arm 9 and the lower arm 9 no longer overlap, but extend away.

The rotation limiters now cooperate to limit rotation to protect the back wall. Clockwise movement of the lower arm 9 about the first post 6 is free for 360 degrees, and so is clockwise movement about the intermediate post 8.

FIG. 2d shows a fourth configuration that conforms to Figs. 2c, but differs in that the configuration is relocated with its desk clamp 5 to a right corner of a desk 1. The configuration further differs in that the lower arm 9 carried by the first post 6 provided with a clamp 5 has been reconfigured by lifting the first coupling 11 up from the first post 6 along the swivel axis A, rotationally reorienting the coupling 11 by 180 ° about the swivel axis A relative to the post 6, and pushing the coupling 11 back down on the post 6 along the swivel axis A. The upper arm 9 carried by the intermediate post 8 on the lower arm 9 has been readjusted in assembled condition. Readjusting has been done by adjusting the rotational orientation of the upper arm 9 by 360 ° about the swivel axis A. The lower and upper arms 9 extend away as in Fig. 2c, but now towards the left instead of towards the right as they did in Fig. 2c. The rotation hmiters now cooperate to limit rotation to protect the back wall. Counterclockwise movement of the lower arm 9 about the first, post 6 is free for 360 degrees, and so is counterclockwise movement about the intermediate post 8.

Referring to FIG. 3a and 3b, a second embodiment of the invention is shown in which a non-fixating rotation limiter is formed at the post interface 13 by a slot 7 in the post 8 that is oversized in swiveling direction, and that receives the tab 15 with play . Together with the non-fixating rotation limiter formed by the ring segment 17 in the outer mantle surface of the coupling 11 at the arm interface 12, a rotation limiter with a compound stroke of 360 degrees is obtained. Rotation is limited when the arms 9 overlap.

FIG. 3b shows a second configuration that conforms to FIG. 3a, but differs in the upper arm 9 carried by the post 8 has been reconfigured by lifting the coupling 11 up from the post 8 along the swivel axis A, rotationally reorienting the coupling 11 by 180 ° about the swivel axis A relative to the post 8, and pushing the coupling 11 back down on the post 8 along the swivel axis A. The rotation limiters now cooperate to limit rotation when the arms 9 extend away, without using tools and using the same parts.

Referring to FIG. 4a and 4b, a third embodiment of the invention is shown in which the configuration is kinematically inverted: the non-fixating rotation limiter on the arm interface 12 includes a radially outwardly projecting tab 15 on the outer mantle of the coupling body that cooperates with an 7 oversized slot in the arm. The non-fixating rotation limiter on the post interface 13 includes a ball race 17 in the post 8, or which the ball 20 is a hero in a drop-in slot 21 in the inner mantle of the bushing 11. Similar to Fig. 3a, rotation is limited when the arms 9 overlap.

FIG. 4b shows a second configuration that conforms to FIG. 4a, but that differs in that the second (upper) arm 9 carried by the post 8 has been 180 ° reconfigured. Similar to FIG. 3b, the rotation limiters now cooperate to limit rotation when the arms 9 extend away.

Referring to FIG. 5a and 5b, a fourth embodiment of the invention is shown. The fourth edition is a variation on the first edition, and includes a helical groove 18 with adjustable stops 23 as a non-fixating rotation limiter. The arm 9 comprises a track with two set of screws 23 that may be used to limit travel of the ball 20 in the groove 18. The set of screws 23 may be provided with manually operable heads, so that they can be adjusted in a toolless operation. By locking the ball 20 between the stops screws 23, the rotation limiter can be reversibly adjusted between a non-fixing and a fixing position. As a simplification, a single stop screw 23 may be used.

The end of the track 18 can then form the second stop.

Referring to FIG. 6a and 6b, a fifth embodiment of the invention is shown in which the configuration is inverted again. Here a slot 7 is provided in the arm that matches in size with a tab 15 that extends from the coupling body at its outer mantle so as to provide a fixed rotation limiter at the arm interface 12. At the post interface 13, a rotation limiter with a compound stroke or 360 degrees is provided. A first non-fixating rotation limiter is provided by a circumferential groove 17 at the top of post 8 that cooperates with a traveling ball 20 hero in the inner mantle surface of the coupling body. The circumferential groove 17 forms a circle segment or less than 360 degrees. A second non-fixating rotation limiter is formed by a circumferential groove 17 at the top of the inner mantle surface of the coupling body that also cooperates with the ball. The ball 20 is a hero in place by a top flange (not shown).

Referring to FIG. 7a and 7b, a sixth embodiment of the invention is shown. Here a slot 7 is provided in the arm 9 that matches in size with a tab 15 that extends from the coupling body at its outer mantle so as to provide a fixed rotation limiter at the arm interface 12. At the post interface 13, a non -fixating rotation limiter with a stroke of 270 degrees is provided, as indicated by arrow D. Thereto, the post 8 carries a finger 26 that cooperates with a 270 degree lock in a top surface of the body of the coupling 11. The finger 26 may be detached using screw 27, and may be reoriented to be in any of the four arms or a mounting cross 28 on the top surface of the post 8 in which the finger 26 is hero.

Here the limited relative rotational movement is provided in four rotational sub zones or 270 degrees each. The rotational sub zones are each in one orientation of the coupling less than a single revolution, and through reorientation of the coupling 11 about its swivel axis A relative to the post 8 and the arm 9 together correspond to a single revolution. Through reorientation the work area can thus be selected from rotational sub zones that correspond together to a full revolution.

Referring to FIG. 8, a seventh embodiment of the invention is shown with a post 6 that includes four slots 7, and a coupling 11 that swivably couples an arm 9 to the post 6. The coupling 11 includes a fixating rotation limiter at the post interface 13 that comprises two opposing radially inwardly extending tabs 15 at the inner mantle surface of the coupling body. The tabs 15 fit into the slots 7 in the post 6, occupying two opposing slots 7 at one time. The coupling 11 further includes a non-fixating rotation limiter at the arm interface 12 that comprises a quarter circle circumferential groove 17 in the outer mantle surface of the coupling body that cooperates with the arm 9 via a traveling ball 20 hero in a drop-in slot 21 in the arm 9. In FIG. 8 it is shown by depicting four identical couplings 11 and arms 9, that through reorientation of the coupling 11 relative to the post 6 by rotating it 90 degrees about its swivel axis A, the work area of the arm 9 can be selected from four 90 degree rotational sub zones that correspond to a full revolution. Up to four arms 9 can be swivably coupled to the post 6 using the same type of coupling 11, each arm 9 having its own quadrant or service.

The coupling disclosed may be summarily expressed as a coupling for swivably coupling an arm to a post, the coupling including a post interface that in use cooperates with the post as engaged element, and an arm interface that in use cooperates with the arm as engaged element, both in the post interface and the arm interface include a rotation limiter that is in use limits rotational movement of the interface relative to its engaged element about a swivel axis that extends along a longitudinal axis of the post. At least one of the post interface and the arm interface may include a non-fixating rotation limiter that is in use engages its engaged element with a limited rotational stroke to allow limited relative rotation about the swivel axis between the arm and the post.

The invention is not limited to the exemplary exponent here, but includes variations. For example, the coupling may be assembled or various pieces, and may e.g. be built up from two parts that cooperate via wedge surfaces such as described in PCT / NL2016 / 050798. Also, the angular values discussed may be chosen differently, and the shape and configuration of the arms and the posts may vary. Examples of shapes and configurations or monitor arm stands are also described in

PCT / NL2016 / 050798. Such variations shall be clear to the skilled person and considered to fall within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

1. desk

2. monitor

3. swivel bracket for monitor

4. monitor arm position

5. clamp

6. post embodied as column

7. longitudinally extending slot

8. post embodied as coupling post

9. monitor arm

10. mounting aperture or monitor arm

11. coupling

12. monitor arm interface or coupling

13. post interface of coupling

14. protruding rotation limiter

15. tab

16. depressed rotation limiter

17. circumferential groove

18. helical groove

19. traveler

20. ball

21. slot of traveler

22. configuration situations

23. set screw

24. recess or set screw

25. situation locator

26. directional finger

27. screw of finger

28. mounting cross

A swivel axis

D swivel direction

Claims (13)

Conclusions 1. Coupling for pivotally coupling an arm to an upright, wherein during use the coupling cooperates with the upright as an engaged element via an upright interface, and via an arm interface with the arm as an engaged element, wherein the coupling including its interfaces provides for limited relative rotation movement between the arm and the upright about a pivot axis that extends along a longitudinal axis of the upright, the limited relative rotation movement being provided in a rotation region corresponding to a single revolution about the longitudinal axis. 2. Coupling as claimed in claim 1, wherein both the upright interface and the arm interface comprise a rotation limiter which during use rotates movement of the interface relative to the engaged element thereof about a pivot axis which extends along a longitudinal axis of the upright. 3. Coupling as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one of the upright interface and the arm interface comprises a non-fixing rotation limiter which in use engages its engaged element with a limited rotational stroke to allow limited relative rotation to enable the pivot axis between the pivot axis. arm and the upright. 4. Coupling as claimed in claim 3, wherein the other of the upright interface and the arm interface comprises a fixing rotation limiter which, in use, engages its engaged element to prevent relative rotation about the pivot axis. 5. Coupling as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the rotation limiter comprises a protrusion. 6. Coupling as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the rotation limiter comprises a groove which during use cooperates with the engaged element via a moving element. 7. Coupling as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the coupling is adapted to engage the upright and the arm in two or more discrete rotational orientations about the pivot axis relative to the arm and / or the upright, wherein each orientation limits relative rotation permits the pivot axis to travel over a different path. A coupling system, comprising a post and an arm, and a coupling according to any one of the preceding claims. 9. Coupling system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the arm is provided with a recess for receiving the arm interface of the coupling. 10. Coupling system as claimed in claim 8 or 9, wherein the arm comprises an adjustable stop. 11. Coupling system as claimed in any of the claims 8-10, wherein the upright is provided on a further arm. 12. Coupling system as claimed in any of the claims 8-10, wherein the upright is provided with a clamp. A monitor support comprising at least one upright extending along a longitudinal axis, a monitor arm for supporting a monitor radially outwardly with respect to the longitudinal axis of the upright, and a coupling or coupling system according to any one of the preceding claims with which the monitor arm can pivot during use is coupled to the stand. k- (MO CM 16/17 19/20 Title: Coupling and coupling system for swivably coupling an arm to a post, in particular for coupling a monitor to a support arm