WO2006051234A1

WO2006051234A1 - Screen support device

Info

Publication number: WO2006051234A1
Application number: PCT/FR2005/050930
Authority: WO
Inventors: James Massacrier
Original assignee: Craie
Priority date: 2004-11-09
Filing date: 2005-11-07
Publication date: 2006-05-18
Also published as: EP1828667A1; FR2877710A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a screen support device, for supporting at least one screen (10), particularly of the flat-screen type, said device comprising a bracket (20), connected in a pivoting manner to a support structure (50) and a screen support arm (30), connected in a pivoting manner to said bracket (20). Said system comprises a system for displacement of said at least one screen, said displacement system comprising a first displacement means (41), connected to said support structure (50) at one end and to said bracket (20) at the other end and a second displacement means (42), connected to said bracket (20) at one end and to said arm (30) at the other end, said first and second displacement means (41, 42), acting simultaneously to pivot the bracket (20) with respect to said support structure (50) and to simultaneously pivot, in particular, in an angularly equivalent manner, said arm (30) with respect to said bracket (20), such that the displacement of said at least one screen (10) is essentially horizontal.

Description

Screen support device

The present invention relates to a screen support device, in particular of the flat screen type, and a workstation comprising such a device.

Screen support devices are typically used to form part of a complete workstation. This workstation generally comprises a work platform allowing the user to work, and adapted to support control means, such as a keyboard, a mouse or the like. Storage means are also provided allowing in particular to have the central unit of a computer or the like. One or more screens are also provided, these screens can be mounted on appropriate support devices. Especially for trading rooms and the like, a need for flexible and adjustable workstations has developed. In this context, a possibility of moving in all directions of the different components of the workstation is desirable. In particular the work tray must be able to be mounted and lowered as well as tilted as needed, and the screens must be able to be moved in all directions imaginable to adapt to the different needs of users. Also different users can use the same workstation, and in this case the settings may differ from one user to another. As needed, these movements of the different components of the workstation must be able to be performed simply, quickly and if possible without interruption of the work of the user. When the screens are mounted on one or more screen support devices, such a move can be complicated. On the one hand, depending on the number of screens mounted on the support device, it can be relatively heavy and bulky, so that appropriate moving means are as bulky or troublesome for the user. Since space saving is an important condition for the use of this type of workstation, the means of travel must not be cumbersome and if possible they should be placed under the workstation, and not exceed this one whatever the position of the screens. Document DE 19950908 discloses a screen advance system pivotally mounted on a frame structure. The inclination of the screen must be adjusted manually by the user. Document US Pat. No. 6,655,645 discloses a very complex and bulky screen projection system comprising a horizontal worm. The inclination of the screen must also be adjusted manually by the user.

The object of the present invention is to provide a screen support device which does not reproduce the aforementioned drawbacks and which makes it possible to fulfill the aforementioned requirements optimally.

The present invention aims in particular to provide a screen support device that is compact, virtually invisible to the user and other people near the workstation, simple and inexpensive to manufacture and assemble, reliable d use and to obtain the desired result at low cost.

The present invention also aims to provide a screen support device that is automatically adjustable and that does not require adjustment by the user.

The present invention therefore relates to a screen support device, intended to support at least one screen, in particular of the flat screen type, said device comprising a console pivotally connected to a support structure, and a support arm. screen, pivotally connected to said console, said device comprising a system for moving said at least one screen, said displacement system comprising a first moving means connected on the one hand to said support structure and on the other hand to said console, and a second moving means connected on the one hand to said console and on the other hand to said arm, said first and second moving means acting simultaneously to firstly rotate the console relative to said support structure and secondly rotate simultaneously, particularly angularly equivalent, said arm relative to said console, so that the displacement of ent of said at least one screen is substantially horizontal. Advantageously, said first moving means acts in tension when the second moving means is in extension, and / or vice versa.

Advantageously, said bracket comprises a lower end pivotally mounted on the support structure around a first horizontal axis, and an upper end pivotally mounted on said arm about a second horizontal axis.

Advantageously, said bracket comprises a flange extending away from said bracket, said flange being connected on one side to said bracket, in particular integrally, and being connected on the other side to said first moving means, particularly swivel.

Advantageously, said first displacement means and / or said second displacement means are mechanical jacks.

Advantageously, said displacement means are electrically controlled, preferably remotely.

Advantageously, said support structure is a workstation comprising a work plate.

Advantageously, said arm supports a plurality of screens.

Advantageously, said bracket comprises means for vertically displacing said arm, such as a mechanical and / or hydraulic jack.

Advantageously, said console is substantially vertical and / or said console is connected at its lower end to the support structure and / or said screen support arm is substantially horizontal and / or said screen support arm is connected at said console at the upper end thereof.

The present invention also relates to a workstation comprising a work plate and at least one screen support device as described above.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly in the following detailed description of an advantageous embodiment thereof, with reference to the accompanying drawings, given by way of non-limiting examples, and on which : Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a workstation incorporating a screen support device according to an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, in a first position of the device; and Fig. 2 is a view similar to that of Fig. 1 showing the screen support device in a second position. With reference to the figures, a screen support device will be described which is mounted on a workstation 50 having a work plate 51. It is understood, however, that the present invention more generally applies to all support devices of screen mounted on any support structure.

Referring to the figures, the screen support device of the invention comprises a bracket 20, preferably substantially vertical in the position shown in Figure 1, and which is pivotally mounted on a support structure 50 around a first axis 61. FIG. 2, which represents an advanced position of the screen support device, shows a position in which the console has pivoted with respect to the vertical around said first axis 61. The expression "substantially vertical" console encompasses, of course, the two positions of the console 20. A screen support arm 30 is pivotally mounted on said bracket 20 about a second horizontal axis 62. Preferably this pivotal connection between the console 20 and the arm 30 is made at the level of the upper end of the console 20, as shown in the figures. A displacement system is provided for moving said screen support arm to advance or retract the screen (s) supported by said arm 30. In the figures, only one screen 10 is shown, but it is understood that the invention covers arms supporting a plurality of screens mounted on the arm. For example, an arm supporting two, three or four screens is quite possible. These screens are preferably flat screens, but any type of screen is possible, for example screens of the plasma type, LCD, etc. Similarly, the distribution of the screens on the support arm (in case of multi-screen arms) may be any. The invention provides a system for moving said at least one screen 10, said system comprising a first moving means 41 and a second moving means 42. These first and second moving means are preferably made in the form of a jack, advantageously simple mechanical jacks, reliable and inexpensive. The first jack is connected on the one hand to the support structure 50 and on the other hand to said console 20 while the second jack 42 is connected on the one hand to the console 20 and on the other hand to said support arm screen 30. Advantageously, the first jack 41 is thus mounted on the support structure 50 at a fastener 71, which can be fixed or pivotable, and secondly on said flange 25 at a fastener 72 which is preferably swivel. Similarly, the second jack 42 is advantageously mounted on the bracket 20 at a fastener 81, which can be fixed or pivotable, and secondly on the arm 30 at a fastener 82, which is swivel preference.

According to the invention, these two jacks act simultaneously to firstly rotate the bracket 20 around the first horizontal axis 61 and secondly to simultaneously rotate the arm 30 about the second horizontal axis 62 relative to said console 20 , at an angle approximately equivalent to that of the pivoting of the bracket 20 relative to the support structure 50. This has the effect of causing a substantially rectilinear movement, in particular horizontal, of the screen (s) when the displacement system is operated. Preferably, the first actuator acts in tension when the second actuator acts in extension and vice versa. Thus, to advance the screen 10 from the position shown in Figure 1 to the position shown in Figure 2, the first cylinder 41 acts in traction while the second cylinder 42 acts in extension. The pull of the first jack pulls on the console 20 to rotate it while the extension of the second cylinder 42 pushes the arm 30 to maintain it horizontal. Of course, to move the screen back from the position shown in Figure 2 to the position shown in Figure 1, the opposite occurs.

Advantageously, the console comprises a flange 25 which extends away from said bracket 20. This flange 25 advantageously forms a part perpendicular to the console 20 and is connected on one side to said console, preferably integrally. On the other side, the flange 25 is connected, preferably pivotally, to said first cylinder 41. Advantageously, the flange 25 extends perpendicularly to the level of the lower end of the bracket 20, so that the console has This structure makes it possible to keep the movement system as compact as possible, and for the most part disposed inside the workstation 50, in particular under the working plate 51, and therefore mainly invisible. Only the second jack 42 can be disposed outside said workstation but it is disposed at the rear of the screen (s) 10 so that it is very little annoying. It could also be arranged in an appropriate cache. This structure with two cylinders is also very economical, in that it allows the use of simple mechanical cylinders and inexpensive to manufacture and assemble. Indeed, the efforts required to cause the respective pivoting of the console 20 and the arm 30 are small, and it is therefore particularly unnecessary to have to use hydraulic cylinders or other bulky, complex and expensive. Another advantage of the structure of the invention is that in all positions, the system does not protrude out of the support structure 50, in this case the workstation. This saves space and allows to have more workstations on a given surface.

An electric motor may be connected to said screen support device for effecting electrical movement thereof, and control means, in particular remote control means, may be provided, for example made in the form of accessible buttons. to the user at the front of the workstation. This allows him to move the screens without having to move or interrupt his work, for example monitoring said screens. In this case, moving the screens is also effortless for the user. It is thus easily achievable without outside help by people with reduced mobility or disabilities. When multiple users are working on the same workstation, appropriate memories may be provided, allowing each user to find his stored setting, for example by pressing a dedicated key for this purpose.

Advantageously, the bracket 20 may form or comprise means for vertical displacement of said arm 30. For example, the console 20 could be or integrate a cylinder, mechanical and / or hydraulic, which could also be electrically controlled and remotely. In this way, all movements, whatever they are, can be done automatically and remotely, if desired. In this implementation, the flange 25 surrounds the base of the vertical bracket cylinder 20 in any desired manner.

Of course, the invention has been described with reference to a particular embodiment thereof, and various modifications are possible for the skilled person. In particular, the shape of the console 20 and / or the arm 30 can be modified as well as the positioning of the cylinders 41, 42. In particular the connection points of the cylinders at the support structure 50 and / or the console 20 and / or arm 30 can be modified. Similarly, the shape and position of the flange 25 connected to the first cylinder 41 can also be made differently. The workstation 50 may further include one or more screen support devices. The displacement means could also be made differently, for example with rack or gear. More than two or three jacks (or similar) could be used. If necessary, additional means for adjusting the position of the screens, for example their inclination, could also be provided.

Other modifications are also conceivable without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

claims

A screen support device for supporting at least one screen (10), particularly of the flat screen type, said device comprising a bracket (20) pivotally connected to a support structure (50), and a screen support arm (30), pivotally connected to said bracket (20), said device comprising a moving system of said at least one screen, said moving system having a first moving means (41) connected to said a part to said support structure (50) and secondly to said bracket (20), and a second displacement means (42) connected on the one hand to said bracket (20) and on the other hand to said arm ( 30), characterized in that said first and second moving means (41, 42) act simultaneously to firstly rotate the bracket (20) relative to said support structure (50) and secondly to rotate simultaneously, especially in an angularly equivalent manner, said bra s (30) relative to said bracket (20), so that the displacement of said at least one screen (10) is substantially horizontal.

2.- Device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said first moving means (41) acts in tension when the second moving means (42) acts in extension, and / or vice versa.

3.- Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said bracket (20) has a lower end pivotally mounted on the support structure (50) about a first horizontal axis (61), and an upper end mounted pivoting on said arm (30) about a second horizontal axis (62).

4.- Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said bracket (20) comprises a flange (25) extending away from said bracket (20), said flange (25) being connected on one side to said bracket (20), in particular in one piece, and being connected to the other side to said first moving means (41), in particular pivotally.

5.- Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said first moving means (41) and / or said second moving means (42) are mechanical jacks.

6.- Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said moving means (41, 42) are electrically controlled, preferably remotely.

7. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said support structure (50) is a work station comprising a work plate (51).

8.- Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said arm (30) supports a plurality of screens (10).

9.- Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said bracket (20) comprises a vertical displacement means of said arm (30), such as a mechanical jack and / or hydraulic.

10.- Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said bracket (20) is substantially vertical and / or said bracket (20) is connected at its lower end to the support structure (50) and / or said screen support arm (30) is substantially horizontal and / or said screen support arm (30) is connected to said bracket (20) at the upper end thereof.

11. Workstation (50) comprising a work plate (51), characterized in that it comprises at least one screen support device according to any one of the preceding claims.