WO2013017874A1 - Système de support réglable - Google Patents

Système de support réglable Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2013017874A1
WO2013017874A1 PCT/GB2012/051859 GB2012051859W WO2013017874A1 WO 2013017874 A1 WO2013017874 A1 WO 2013017874A1 GB 2012051859 W GB2012051859 W GB 2012051859W WO 2013017874 A1 WO2013017874 A1 WO 2013017874A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
slider
hole
support arm
support system
resiliently deformable
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2012/051859
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Peter Williams
Alex Lau
Original Assignee
Colebrook Bosson & Saunders (Products) Limited
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Colebrook Bosson & Saunders (Products) Limited filed Critical Colebrook Bosson & Saunders (Products) Limited
Publication of WO2013017874A1 publication Critical patent/WO2013017874A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16M—FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS
    • F16M11/00—Stands or trestles as supports for apparatus or articles placed thereon ; Stands for scientific apparatus such as gravitational force meters
    • F16M11/20—Undercarriages with or without wheels
    • F16M11/24—Undercarriages with or without wheels changeable in height or length of legs, also for transport only, e.g. by means of tubes screwed into each other
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16M—FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS
    • F16M11/00—Stands or trestles as supports for apparatus or articles placed thereon ; Stands for scientific apparatus such as gravitational force meters
    • F16M11/02—Heads
    • F16M11/04—Means for attachment of apparatus; Means allowing adjustment of the apparatus relatively to the stand
    • F16M11/06—Means for attachment of apparatus; Means allowing adjustment of the apparatus relatively to the stand allowing pivoting
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16M—FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS
    • F16M11/00—Stands or trestles as supports for apparatus or articles placed thereon ; Stands for scientific apparatus such as gravitational force meters
    • F16M11/20—Undercarriages with or without wheels
    • F16M11/2007—Undercarriages with or without wheels comprising means allowing pivoting adjustment
    • F16M11/2014—Undercarriages with or without wheels comprising means allowing pivoting adjustment around a vertical axis
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16M—FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS
    • F16M11/00—Stands or trestles as supports for apparatus or articles placed thereon ; Stands for scientific apparatus such as gravitational force meters
    • F16M11/20—Undercarriages with or without wheels
    • F16M11/2092—Undercarriages with or without wheels comprising means allowing depth adjustment, i.e. forward-backward translation of the head relatively to the undercarriage
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16M—FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS
    • F16M13/00—Other supports for positioning apparatus or articles; Means for steadying hand-held apparatus or articles
    • F16M13/02—Other supports for positioning apparatus or articles; Means for steadying hand-held apparatus or articles for supporting on, or attaching to, an object, e.g. tree, gate, window-frame, cycle
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16M—FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS
    • F16M2200/00—Details of stands or supports
    • F16M2200/04—Balancing means
    • F16M2200/044—Balancing means for balancing rotational movement of the undercarriage
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16M—FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS
    • F16M2200/00—Details of stands or supports
    • F16M2200/06—Arms
    • F16M2200/063—Parallelogram arms

Definitions

  • the present invention is concerned with an adjustable support system for supporting a load.
  • the invention is particularly suitable for supporting a display device, for example, a flat panel display device, a panel PC, a tablet PC or a short-throw projector.
  • the invention is also concerned with a method of adjusting an adjustable support system.
  • the invention is further concerned with a friction controlling device for an adjustable support system.
  • Modern screen-based display devices are typically flat-screen display devices such as liquid crystal display (LCD) or plasma screen displays. Such devices can be mounted on a supporting mechanism such as a support arm, which can be secured to a horizontal or vertical surface so that the display device can be positioned and supported above, below, or out in front of the surface.
  • a supporting mechanism such as a support arm, which can be secured to a horizontal or vertical surface so that the display device can be positioned and supported above, below, or out in front of the surface.
  • One known type of support system for supporting a load includes a support for the load and a spring for providing a moment about a pivotable mount for the support in a first direction about the pivot to at least partially offset the moment about the arm mount in a second direction about the pivot, opposite to the first direction, resulting from the weight of the load.
  • An example of this type of known support system is disclosed in US patent publication no. US2004/0189890.
  • Another type of known display device support system for support a load includes a means for adjusting the length of a coiled spring to enable the support system to support display screens or other apparatuses of different weights.
  • These examples of the latter type of known support systems include a screw adjustment mechanism for adjusting the length of the spring. This advantageously enables a wide range of adjustment during set up of these systems to support a given load.
  • these adjustment systems require fine tuning and trial and error for them to be configured to support a given weight effectively. Further fine tuning and trial and error is also required if the device is reconfigured to support a different load.
  • these known support systems are not optimised for fast and effective adjustment to reconfigure them to support different loads, particularly those of fixed, known weights. They are also not optimised for effectively supporting a load which may vary between upper and lower limits of a load range.
  • the continuous adjustment mechanism of the known support systems also provides a level of complexity that is not required for certain applications, particularly those where the load to be supported will not change or will only change infrequently after the initial configuration of the support system.
  • the known screw adjustment mechanisms also typically require a user to use a tool to tighten a nut on a thread in order to reduce the length of the spring. This tightening operation has to be done against the counterbalancing force exerted on the arm by the spring. This adjustment may be possible for an arm designed to support a light load in which the spring generates a relatively small spring force.
  • the known support systems also do not provide optimum provision for the positioning and protection of the wiring which feeds the supported display device with a signal.
  • little or no provision is made for the wiring.
  • the presence of a known type of screw adjustment mechanism located inside the arm for compressing the spring means that the wires are typically positioned outside the arm.
  • the wiring is attached to the outside surface of the supporting arm by a suitable fastening means.
  • the inventors of the present invention have appreciated that there is a need for an improved support arm which address the aforementioned problems identified with the known systems.
  • a support arm capable of effectively supporting loads of various weights including a display device or display device and capable of adjustment by a user to so as to control the counterbalancing characteristics of the arm.
  • a support arm which offers greater protection to the wires required for transmitting data to and from a display screen.
  • the present invention in a first aspect provides: an adjustable support system for supporting a load such as a display device, comprising: a fixing point, a mount for the load, and a support arm therebetween, the support arm being pivotally connected to the fixed point and the load; a resiliently deformable element for providing a counterbalancing force on the support arm to at least partially oppose a moment on the support arm about the fixing point resulting from the weight of the load attached to the mount; and an adjustment system for adjusting the resiliently deformable element, the adjustment system being operable to adjust the position of an end of the resiliently deformable element between a first predetermined and defined position relative to the support arm and a second predetermined and defined position relative to the support arm so as to adjust the length of the resiliently deformable element and thereby adjust a preload on the resiliently deformable element.
  • the invention therefore provides an improved support system for effectively positioning and supporting a load, such as a display device, above, below or out in front of the fixing point and which enables adjustment of the support system to support different loads.
  • the adjustment system is easily operated to reconfigure the support system to support different loads such as different display devices of known weights or within defined weight ranges.
  • the invention removes a level of complexity of known support systems which have a continuous adjustment mechanism by providing a number of predetermined and defined positions of a first end of the spring corresponding to counterbalancing preloads of the resiliently deformable element. It thereby removes the need for fine tuning of the adjustment mechanism and for trial and error.
  • the adjustment system also enables the support arm to have a hollow central cavity for receiving and protecting wiring which supplies the display device.
  • the present invention in a first aspect also provides a support system as defined in claim 23.
  • the support arm is hollow and the resilient element is disposed within the support arm. More preferably, the support arm is a hollow outer tube of circular section, though other shapes are envisaged. Preferably the adjustment system is disposed substantially within the hollow support arm. This provides a compact, aesthetically appealing, design in which the resilient element is protected from contamination or obstruction and prevented from causing injury.
  • the support arm includes a slider that is slidable relative to the support arm against the counterbalancing force exerted by the resiliently deformable element, wherein the adjustment system is operable to adjust the position of the end of the resiliently deformable element relative to the slider from the first predetermined and defined position to the second predetermined and defined position so as to adjust the length of the resiliently deformable element.
  • the adjustment system is disposed entirely within the hollow support arm.
  • the adjustment system is disposed substantially within a radial cavity defined between the slider and the hollow support arm. More preferably, the adjustment system is disposed entirely within the radial cavity defined between the slider and the hollow support arm.
  • the resiliently deformable element is arranged in compression and the adjustment system is operable to adjust the position of the end of the resiliently deformable element from the first predetermined and defined position relative to the slider to the second predetermined and defined position relative to the slider so as to reduce the axial length of the resiliently deformable element and thereby increase a pre-compression of the resiliently deformable element.
  • the resilient element could also be arranged in tension and the adjustment system used to adjust the pretension in the resilient element.
  • the slider is also disposed within the support arm. This provides a compact, aesthetically appealing, design in which the slider is protected from contamination or obstruction and prevented from causing injury.
  • the resiliently deformable element is located at a first end by a slidable collar and at a second end by a fixed collar , wherein the slidable collar is coupled to the slider and slidable with the slider relative to the support arm and the fixed collar, the fixed collar is fixed to the support arm, and the adjustment system is operable to adjust the position of the slidable collar relative to the slider between a first collar position to a second collar position so as to adjust the position of the end of the resiliently deformable element from the first predetermined and defined position to the second predetermined and defined position.
  • the slidable collar and fixed collar securely locate the ends of the resiliently deformable element in the elevated position of the arm and as it is compressed during use of the support system.
  • the first and second predetermined and defined positions of the end of the end of the resiliently deformable element are defined by first and second holes in the slider, the first and second holes being spaced from one another along the length of the slider.
  • the holes allow the support system to be quickly and easily configured to support a load within a given load range for a particular load setting of the arm. It avoids the fine tuning and trail and error associated with known support systems which have a continuous adjustment mechanism.
  • the adjustment system includes: a hole in the slidable collar; axially spaced first and second holes in the slider, the first hole being nearer to the fixing point end of the support arm and the second hole being nearer to the mount end of the arm, the first and second holes defining the first and second positions of the slidable collar which define the first and second predetermined and defined positions of the end of the resiliently deformable element; and a fastening device; wherein, in the first predetermined and defined position of the end of the resiliently deformable element, the hole in the slidable collar is engageable with the first hole in the slider by the fastening device; and in the second predetermined and defined position of the end of the resiliently deformable element, the hole in the slidable collar is engageable with the second hole in the slider by the fastening device.
  • the fastening device is a locking screw, grub screw or pin although other suitable fasteners will be readily apparent to the skilled person.
  • the adjustment system is operable by: withdrawing the fastening device from the first hole in the slider through the hole in the slidable collar so as to disengage the fastening device from the first hole in the slider; repositioning the slidable collar relative to the slider such that the hole in the slidable collar is moved out of alignment with the first hole in the slider and into alignment with the second hole in the slider; and advancement of the fastening device through the hole in the slidable collar into engagement with the second hole in the slider so as to connect the hole in the slidable collar with the second hole in the slider with the fastening device.
  • a plurality of holes in the slider engagable with the hole in the slidable collar by the fastening device so as to provide a plurality of predetermined and defined positions of the first end of the resiliently deformable element relative to the slider.
  • This provides a plurality of predetermined and defined positions of the first end of the resilient element relative to the slider corresponding to a number of load supporting settings.
  • the holes of the plurality of holes in the slider may be evenly spaced from one another in the longitudinal direction of the slider.
  • at least one adjacent pair of holes of the plurality of holes in the slider has a different spacing to at least one other adjacent pair of holes of the plurality of holes in the slider in the longitudinal direction of the slider. This latter configuration provides a degree of overlap between the loads supportable at each of the load supporting settings. It may also be used to compensate for the spring rates of the spring.
  • a corresponding number of holes having the same relative spacing as the holes in the slider is provided through the wall of the hollow support arm, the holes in the slider being alignable with the holes through the wall of the support arm so as to enable insertion of a tool through the wall of the support arm to facilitate advancement and withdrawal of the fastening device through the hole in the slidable collar with the holes in the slider for adjustment of the position of the slidable collar relative to the slider.
  • This provides improved access to the heads of the fasteners with a suitable tool to facilitate adjustment of the support system to select a different load setting.
  • the support system is configured so that pivoting of the support arm around the fixing point in a first direction corresponding to the direction of the moment resulting from the weight of the load causes the slider and attached slidable collar to slide within the support arm and compress the resiliently deformable element between the slidable collar and the fixed collar.
  • the support system is adjustable in use by: manually rotating of the support arm in the first direction to compress the resiliently deformable element between the slidable collar and the fixed collar and align the fastening device engaging the first hole in the slider with the hole in the slidable collar with the second hole through the support arm; withdrawing of the fastening device from the slider through the hole in the slidable collar to disengage the fastening device from the first hole in the slider and engage the fastening device with the second hole along the support arm, thereby fixing the position of the slidable collar relative to the support arm and enabling the slider to slide relative to the slidable collar; manually rotating the support arm in a second direction about the fixing point, opposite to the first direction, so as to slide the slider relative to the slidable collar until the hole in the slidable collar is moved out of alignment with the first hole in the slider and into alignment with the second hole in the slider; and reinserting the fastening device through the hole in the slidable collar out of engagement with the second
  • the resiliently deformable element is a coiled spring.
  • the coiled spring is coiled around the slider and disposed within an annual cavity between the support arm and the slider.
  • suitable force generating elements such as, but not limited to a Bellville washer or a stack of Bellville washers, a gas strut, a continuous tube or length of rubber disposed around the slider, a number of shorter spring elements or lengths of rubber axially adjacent or spaced from one another along the length of the slider.
  • the support system includes a friction enhancing device for generating friction between the slider and the support arm.
  • the slider is a hollow tube and the support system is configured to permit one or more wires or cables to be disposed within and pass internally at least along a portion of the length of the hollow tube.
  • the slider is of substantially the same shape as the support arm.
  • the slider is a hollow tube of circular section, though other shapes are envisaged.
  • the support system may be arranged so that the wires can pass entirely along the length of the arm from the first end to the second end.
  • the wires may also enter the first end of the arm through the fixing point and leave the second end of the arm through the mount for the load so that the wires are completely contained within the arm between the fixing point and a display device support at the mount.
  • the present invention in a first aspect also provides a method adjusting an adjustable support system, including the steps of: manually rotating a support arm in a first direction about a fixing point so as to compress a resiliently deformable element between a slidable collar and a fixed collar and align a fastening device engaging a first hole in a slider with a hole in the slidable collar, with the second hole through the support arm; withdrawing the fastening device from the slider through the hole in the slidable collar to disengage the fastening device from the first hole in the slider and engage the fastening device with a second hole along the support arm; manually rotating the support arm in a second direction about the fixing point, opposite to the first direction, so as to slide the slider relative to the slidable collar until the hole in the slidable collar is moved out of alignment with the first hole in the slider and into alignment with a second hole in the slider; and reinserting the fastening device through the hole in the slidable collar out of engagement with the second hole though the
  • the invention in a second aspect provides: a friction controlling device for an adjustable support system of any of the preceding claims, comprising: a male part and a correspondingly shaped female part; wherein the male and female parts are configured to be urged into contact with one another by the resiliently deformable element of the support system to generate friction in the support system.
  • the present invention in a second aspect also provides a support system as defined in claim 31 .
  • Figure 1 is a side view of a support system for supporting a load, such as a flat panel display device, including an adjustable support system according to a first aspect of the present invention
  • Figure 2 is a view of the adjustable support system according to a first aspect of the present invention in an elevated position with a portion of an outer casing of the arm partially cut away to show a resiliently deformable element;
  • Figure 3 is a cross-section through an adjustable support system of the present invention in an elevated position
  • Figure 4 is a close up of first and second ends of the cross section of Figure 3 in an elevated position
  • Figure 5 is a close up of first and second ends of the cross section of Figure 3 in a horizontal position
  • Figure 6 is an exploded view of the support system of Figure 1 ;
  • Figure 7 is a view of the adjustable support system of Figure 3 in an elevated and in a lowered position with a portion of an outer casing of the arm partially cut away, showing directions of movement of the arm;
  • Figure 8 is the view of the adjustable support system of Figure 7 in the lowered position
  • Figure 9a is a cross-section through the support system in the lowered position of Figure 8.
  • Figure 9b is a close up cross-section through the second end of the adjustable support system when in the lowered position of Figure 8;
  • Figure 10 is cross section through a portion of the adjustable support system of Figure 3 as the support arm is moved from the elevated position towards the lowered position of Figure 8, with a slidable collar is in a first predetermined and defined position relative to the slider;
  • Figure 1 1 is the cross section of Figure 10 when the support arm is in the lowered position of Figure 8 and the slidable collar is in a first fixed position relative to the slider;
  • Figure 12 is the cross section of Figure 1 1 showing the slidable collar in a first fixed position relative to the slider and the fastener disengaged from the slidable collar and engaged with the support arm;
  • Figure 13 is the cross section of Figure 12 when the arm has been returned to the elevated position of Figure 3 and the fastener connects the slidable collar with the slider in a second predetermined and defined position of the slidable collar relative to the slider;
  • Figure 14 is a close up view of the second end of the support arm of the first aspect of the invention with a portion of an outer casing of the arm partially cut away to show a friction controlling or enhancing device according to a second aspect of the invention, for use in conjunction with the support arm;
  • Figure 15 is a close up view of a cross section through the second end of the support arm to show a friction controlling or enhancing device for use in connection with the support arm;
  • Figure 16 is an exploded view of the friction controlling device of Figures 14 and 15.
  • Figure 1 shows a support assembly for supporting a load such as a display device D relative to a wall.
  • the support assembly may also support the load relative to a horizontal surface such as a ceiling.
  • the support assembly includes an adjustable support system for supporting a load, according to the present invention.
  • the support assembly can be manipulated and positioned or by a user in order to position the display device in a desired location and orientation so that the user can view an image on the screen.
  • the adjustable support system 1 includes a positionable support arm 2 pivotally supported at a first end 3 to a fixing element 4 by a first pivot 5 and pivotally connected at a second end 6 by a second pivot 7 a mount 8 for supporting a display device D to the support arm.
  • the fixing element 4 may be connected to a further arm of a larger support assembly.
  • the display device may be connected to the mount 8 by any suitable connection means.
  • the support arm includes a hollow outer tube 9 of circular section.
  • a slider 10 preferably in the form of a hollow inner tube also of circular section, is disposed within the outer tube and radially spaced from the internal surface of the wall of the hollow outer tube.
  • the slider forms a conduit for one or more wires (not shown) to pass internally along the support arm between the first end 3 and the second end 6.
  • a cylindrical annular cavity 1 1 is defined between the radially spaced slider 10 and outer tube 9.
  • a coiled spring 12 is disposed within, and extends longitudinally along, the annular cavity between the slider 10 and outer tube 9. The spring is positioned so that it is coiled around the outside of the slider. In a preferred form of the invention, the spring provides a spring force of about 3000N.
  • the spring 12 is located at respective first 13 and second 14 ends between a slidable collar 15 which is slidable relative to the outer tube 9, and a fixed spring stop or collar 16 attached to the outer tube 9.
  • the slidable collar is a hollow, generally cylindrical body attached to the slider 10 by one or more releasable fastening means 17 (Figure 10), for example locking screws, grub screws or pins.
  • the fixed spring stop 16 is a further hollow, generally cylindrical body attached to the outer tube by one or more suitable fastening means 18, for example, locking screws, grub screws, rivets or pins.
  • the spring is located between, and supported by, the slidable collar 15 and the fixed collar 16. In the elevated position of the arm shown in Figure 2, the spring may be held at its normal, uncompressed length or maintained in partial compression between the slidable collar and the spring stop.
  • the slider 10 is slidable relative to the outer tube 9 along, and coaxially with, the longitudinal centreline of, the outer tube 9 and the spring 12.
  • the slider is slidable through the hollow, internal cavity defined by the coiled spring 12.
  • the slider is also slidable inside a hole through the centre of the fixed collar 16.
  • the slidable collar 15 is attached to the slider by the screws 17 so that it is slidable with the slider relative to the outer tube 9 and the fixed collar 16.
  • the support arm is configured so that when a load such as a display device is attached to the mount 8, the weight of the display device produces a moment on the arm about the fixing element 4 which urges the arm to rotate around the first pivot 5 in a first direction marked 'A' in Figure 7 from an elevated position towards a lowered position (Fig 8).
  • a linking means is provided for engaging with the slider 1 0 or the slidable collar to advance the slidable collar along the arm towards the fixed collar.
  • the spring 12 produces a counterbalancing moment on the arm about the fixing element 4 which urges the arm to rotate around the first pivot 5 in a second direction marked ' ⁇ ', opposite the first direction, towards the elevated position of Figure 3.
  • the spring therefore acts to counteract the moment resulting from the weight of the load supported at the mount 8 to oppose lowering of the arm.
  • the arm is configured so that the force generated by the spring on the slider and slidable collar as the arm is rotated in direction A is dependent on the compression of the spring.
  • one suitable means for engaging with the slider to urge the slider along the arm and compress the spring against the fixed collar is a link 19 arranged between a first end portion of the slider 10 and the fixing element 4.
  • the link 19 is pivotally connected by a first pivot 20 to the fixing element 4 and by a second pivot 21 to the first end portion of the slider 10.
  • the link is arranged so that as the arm is rotated in direction A around the fixing element 4, the link 19 pivots around pivots 20 and 21 and urges the slider to slide along the arm towards the second end 6.
  • the position of the pivots 20 and 21 can be varied as required to provide a suitable cam mechanism, or another type of cam may be provided, so that the rate of movement of the slider along the arm, and therefore the spring force exerted on the slider, varies with angular displacement of the arm as it is rotated in direction A.
  • pivot 7 allows the mount 8 and the display device to pivot around pivot 7 under the action of gravity so that the display device is maintained in a vertical plane, provided the moment of the load about the pivot is greater than the friction in the pivot.
  • the pivot 7 may be eliminated, or a suitable adjustment mechanism provided to allow the display device to be maintained at a fixed angle relative to the support arm as the arm is rotated in direction A.
  • a second link 22 may be arranged between a second end portion of the slider 10 and the mount 8.
  • the second link 22 is pivotally connected by a first pivot 23 to the second end portion of the slider and by a second pivot 24 to the mount 8.
  • rotation of the arm in direction A causes the first link 19 to force the slider 10 to slide longitudinally through the outer tube 9 towards the second end 6 of the arm which causes the second link 22 to rotate the mount 8 around the pivot 7 in the direction marked 'C in Figure 7.
  • This varies the angle of the display device relative to the arm and keeps the display device in a fixed viewing plane as the arm is rotated in direction A or B so that the user maintains clear sight of an image being displayed on the display device.
  • This enables the display device to remain, for example, parallel to a wall as the arm is raised and lowered by the weight of the display screen or by a user.
  • the support arm particularly by varying the length of the first and second links 19 and 22 and the position of the pivots 20, 21 , 23 and 24, so that the plane of the display screen is changed as the support arm is rotated in direction A.
  • This allows the screen to be angled during movement of the arm so that the image displayed on the screen remains clearly visible by the user as the arm is rotated between an elevated and a lowered position.
  • the arm may be configured so that as it is rotated towards an elevated or overhead position, the screen is progressively angled downwards towards the user and as the arm is rotated towards the lowered position, the screen is progressively angled upwards towards the user.
  • the arm may include an adjustment mechanism for the display screen to permit adjustment of the plane of the screen. This may be used, for example, to adjust the angle between the mount 8 and the arm 2 in the plane of pivotal movement about pivot 7.
  • the adjustment mechanism includes a screw adjustment means which is adjustable by a suitable tool such as a screwdriver or Allen key.
  • the screw may be rotationally attached at one end to the second end portion of the outer tube or to the link 22 and rotationally attached at one end to the mount 8 so that adjustment of the length of the screw adjusts the angle between the mount supporting the display device and the arm.
  • a hole may be provided in the front of the display screen mount 8 to facilitate access to the screw adjustment with the appropriate tool.
  • the dimensions and material of the spring are selectable to provide a spring force capable of partially or entirely opposing the rotation of the arm resulting from the moment of a particular display device of a certain weight or weight range so that the display device is effectively supported by the arm in any position array by the user.
  • the arm is arranged so that it is capable of supporting a load within a particular load range in a set position and resist raising or lowering of the screen in the absence of a deliberate movement of the screen by a user.
  • the support arm described above includes an adjustment system disposed within the outer tube for adjusting the preload on the spring 12 to enable the support arm to be reconfigured to support display devices, or other loads, of different weights.
  • the adjustment system is disposed substantially within the annular cavity 1 1 between the slider 10 and the outer tube 9. This enables the slider to remain hollow and provide a conduit for one or more wires (not shown) to pass internally either partially or entirely along the centre of the support arm.
  • the adjustment system comprises a first array 25 of at least two fixed position holes in the slider 10 and a second array 26 of at least two holes in the slider diametrically opposite and mirroring the position of the first array of holes.
  • the holes in each array are spaced from one another along the length of the slider and the holes of the first and second array of holes have the same relative spacing.
  • a third array of holes 27 and a fourth set of holes 28 are provided through the wall of the outer tube 9 which have the same relative spacing as the first array 25 and second array 26 set of holes in the slider 10.
  • the holes in the slider are alignable with the holes through the outer tube.
  • Additional holes 29 are provided in diametrically opposite sides of the slidable collar 15. The holes 29 in the slidable collar are alignable with the holes in the slider and the holes in the outer tube.
  • Additional arrays of holes 30 may be provided around the circumference of the slider between the first and second arrays of holes and around the circumference of the outer tube between the third and fourth sets of holes.
  • the slidable collar 15 is connected in a first, predetermined and defined position relative to the slider 10 by fixings 17 which extend through the holes in the slidable collar and into the first holes of each of the sets of holes (the holes nearest the left hand side of Figures 10-13) in the slider.
  • the slider and slidable collar are coupled for sliding movement relative to the outer tube and spring stop 16 so as to compress the spring between the slidable collar 15 and the fixed collar 16 as the arm is rotated in direction A.
  • This first, predetermined and defined position of the slidable collar relative to the slider defines a first spring preload or pre-compression value, in which the support system is suitable for supporting a display device of a given weight or within a given weight range.
  • the support arm can be configured during initial setup or reconfigured in use to support a heavier load, for example a heavier display device.
  • the adjustment system is operable to adjust the preload or pre-compression in the spring so that the heavier display device is effectively supported by the support arm in any arm display device position selected by the user.
  • the support arm is manually rotated by the user in direction B ( Figure 7) to the lowered position shown in Figures 8 and 9 which causes the slider 10 and attached slidable collar to be advanced through the outer tube from the position shown in Figure 10 to the position shown in Figure 1 1 .
  • the slider 9 has been advanced through the outer tube such that the heads of the screws 17 which connect the slidable collar to the first holes of the sets of holes in the slider are aligned with the second hole in the sets of holes in the outer tube - the next hole along the support arm towards the second end of the arm (the next hole to the right as shown in Figures 10 and 1 1 ).
  • a suitable tool (not shown), for example a screwdriver or Allen key, is inserted through each of the second holes of the sets of holes in outer tube and used to withdraw each of the screws from the holes in the slidable collar, out of engagement with the slider and into simultaneous engagement with the second holes in the wall of the outer tube to the position shown in Figure 12.
  • the tool is then removed.
  • the slidable collar is temporarily detached from the slider and temporarily attached to the outer tube by the fixings 1 7.
  • both the slidable collar 15 and fixed collar 16 are attached to the outer tube thereby constraining movement of both ends of the spring 12 relative to the outer tube and the slider becomes temporarily slidable through the outer tube, spring, slidable collar and the fixed collar. In this configuration, movement of the slider by does not affect the length of the spring.
  • the support arm is then manually rotated in the direction B ( Figure 7) to the elevated position shown in Figure 3 which causes the slider to move from the position shown in Figure 12 to the position shown in Figure 13.
  • the spring remains constrained at both ends relative to the outer tube and the slider slides relative to the spring, during this rotation of the arm there is no counterbalancing force acting on the slider to counteract the moment created by the weight of the arm and display device.
  • the slider has been withdrawn along the outer tube so that the heads of the fixings 17 are aligned with the second holes in each array of holes in the slider (the next holes along the slider towards the second end of the slider).
  • the tool is reinserted into the each of the second holes in the outer tube and used to advance the fasteners through the holes in the slidable collar, out of engagement with the second holes through the outer tube and into simultaneous engagement with the second holes in the slider.
  • the slidable collar is in a second predetermined, defined position relative to the slider.
  • the axial length of the spring has been reduced between the Figure 10 and Figure 13 positions as the distance between the slidable collar and fixed collar has been shortened.
  • the arm has been reconfigured from a first load setting to a second load setting in which the preload or pre-compression of the spring has been increased.
  • the spring exerts a greater force on the slider to oppose sliding movement of the slider as the arm is rotated in direction A by the weight of the display device.
  • the support system has therefore been configured to support a display device of greater weight at the mount 8.
  • the holes of the third and fourth array of holes in the outer tube which provide access to the heads of the fixing means are 12mm in diameter
  • the holes of the first and second array of holes in the inner tube are 6mm in diameter
  • the locking or grub screws are M8 Allen screws.
  • additional holes may be provided along the length of the slider and the outer tube so as to enable additional incremental movements of the slidable collar relative to the slider between additional predetermined, defined positions and hence additional adjustment of the preload on the spring.
  • the number of holes in each array of holes therefore corresponds to the number of load supporting settings of the arm.
  • load supporting settings may be provided and the load supporting settings may be defined as required for a given application.
  • the load setting of the arm is preferably selected so that the load to be supported is in the middle of the load supporting range for that setting.
  • the support arm is configured so that for a particular load setting, the arm is capable of supporting a load within the limits of the load supporting range without unwanted raising or lowering of the arm around the pivot 7 from a display device position set by the user. This is principally due to a combination of the counterbalancing force exerted by the spring and friction between components of the support arm.
  • Controlling the friction in the support arm allows the load supporting range of the load settings to be controlled. It will be appreciated that the friction may be controlled and provided by the materials chosen for the support arm components and the tolerances between relative sliding components.
  • the support arm includes a friction controlling or enhancing device 31 .
  • This enables the friction in the system to be controlled or enhanced so that for a given load setting of the arm, the arm can effectively support a display device within the specified weight range, even as the load approaches the upper and lower limits of the weight range.
  • the friction controlling device is shown in Figures 14 - 16 and consists of a first, or female, part 32 having a short cylindrical body 33 with a truncated cone-shaped (frustro-conical) recess.
  • the inner wall of the surface of the frustro-conical recess has an angle of 20 degrees (included angle of 40 degrees).
  • a hole extends through the centre of the hollow body and the frustro-conical recess.
  • the friction controlling device has a second, or male, part 35 having a short, hollow, cylindrical body 36 and a number of resilient elements or projections 37 projecting from the cylindrical body to form a cone or pyramid, preferably a truncated cone or pyramid, with slits or kerf cuts between the elements.
  • the resilient elements may project at an angle from the cylindrical body to form the truncated cone or may be segments of a truncated cone which extend generally parallel to the cylindrical body with the outer surface of the segments being angled so as to collectively form a truncated cone shape.
  • a hole extends through the hollow cylindrical body and the truncated cone formed by the resilient elements.
  • a flat portion or shoulder 38 around the frustro-conical recess is provided which is configured to engage with a correspondingly shaped flat portion around the frustro-conical projection on the female part when the female and male parts are fully engaged.
  • the shape of the frustro- conical recess of the female part generally corresponds to the shape of the truncated cone formed by the resilient elements of the male part.
  • the included angle of the frustro-conical projection on the male part may be the same or greater than the included angle of the frustro-conical recess in the second part.
  • the shape and dimensions of the male and female parts are such that when the male part is urged into engagement with the female part, the projecting elements on the male part are forced towards one another by the frustro-conical recess in the female part which reduces the diameter of the hole through the frustro-conical shaped projection.
  • the friction controlling device therefore functions in a similar way to a sprung collet and cap.
  • the male part is made from Nylon 66 and the female part is made from Aluminium.
  • the female part may be used as the fixed collar 16 described above and attached to the outer tube by suitable fixing means or the female part may abut the fixed collar with the frustro-conical recess facing the first end 3 of the support arm.
  • the male part may be attached to the second end of the spring or the second end of the spring abuts the male part, with the frustro-conical projection extending towards the second end 6 of the arm.
  • the male and female parts are arranged within the annular cavity between the inner and outer tubes with the inner tube 10 being slidable through the holes in the male and female parts.
  • the friction controlling device is configured so that as the moment applied by the display devices on the arm urges the arm to rotate in direction A ( Figure 7), the spring, which is compressed between the slidable collar and the fixed collar, urges the frustro-conical shaped projection of the male part into engagement with the frustro-conical shaped recess of the female part so that the resilient elements are urged into contact with the inner tube 9 and exert an increased gripping force on the inner tube.
  • This increases the frictional force exerted on the inner tube 9 by the friction controlling device and acts to resist movement in direction A caused by the moment of the screen. This is particularly important when, for example, the weight of the display device being supported is at or near the upper limit of the weight range for a given load range.
  • the gripping force exerted on the inner tube increases as the arm is rotated in direction A and the spring is further compressed.
  • the friction controlling device thereby increases the counterbalancing force on the arm by supplementing the spring force exerted on the arm by the spring.
  • the friction controlling device also acts to oppose movement of the arm in direction B ( Figure 7) by increasing friction between the friction controlling device and the inner tube to prevent raising of the arm when, for example, the weight of the display device being supported is near the lower limit of the weight range for a given load range.
  • the friction controlling device In addition to providing effective support for a display device having any weight within the specified range for a particular load setting, the friction controlling device also enables stable positioning of the arm and ensures that a positive input from the user is required to reposition the display device.
  • the friction device enables the frictional force between the inner tube and the support arm to be effectively controlled, providing the support arm with an improved counterbalance mechanism operable to support a range of loads in each load supporting setting of the arm.
  • the mechanism also adjusts the friction between the inner tube and the support arm according to the counterbalance load i.e. a greater counterbalance force (pre-compression of the spring) means that the friction controlling device generates more friction to opposed rotation of the support arm.
  • the male and female parts of the friction controlling device may also be positioned at other points along the arm, provided one of the male and female parts is substantially fixed and the other is slidable relative to it. It will also be appreciated that the male and female parts may be positioned the other way round so that the projection of the male part extends towards the first end 3 of the arm.
  • the friction controlling device may consist of a collet and a cap, the cap being urged by the spring into engagement with the collet to clamp the collect around the inner tube.
  • the collet and cap may be positioned at any point along the arm and with either one of the collet and cap positioned closer to an end of the arm and either one of them being fixed relative to the other.
  • any of the inner tube, the slidable collar, and the fixed collar may be made from, or coated with, a material having a high co-efficient of friction. This may be used in place of, or in addition to, the friction controlling device to increase the frictional forces inherent in the arm.
  • the sets of holes in the slider and outer tube may be equally spaced so that each incremental movement of the slidable collar relative to the slider is the same distance.
  • at least one pair of adjacent holes in each array of holes in the outer tube and slider may have a different separation to at least one other adjacent pair of holes in the outer tube and slider so that the incremental movements of the slidable collar between predetermined defined load-setting positions on the slider correspond to different distances along the length of the slider.
  • the number, position and relative spacing of the holes in the slider, the outer tube and the slidable collar is selectable during manufacture and set up of the support system according to the load supporting requirements of a particular application.
  • the number of holes in the slidable collar may also be varied so that the slidable collar engages with more than one of the holes in the slider and outer tube at each load supporting setting.
  • the fasteners of the adjustment mechanism may alternatively be pins, for example cotter pins or slotted spring pins/roll pins which can be inserted and removed as required, or quick-release sprung- loaded pins which can be retracted and advanced by a suitable tool or by a removable handle.
  • the spring 12 may alternatively be maintained in tension rather than compression and the adjustment system may be used to adjust the pre-tension in the spring so as to change the load setting of the support arm.
  • the adjustment system may alternatively comprise a ratchet mechanism so that rotation of the arm in direction A adjusts the position of the slidable collar relative to the slider to the next position so as to further compress the spring and change the preload on the spring.
  • the ratchet mechanism would provide a number of predetermined, defined positions of the slidable collar relative to the slider which correspond to load supporting settings of the arm.
  • a suitable release mechanism would also be provided to allow the support arm to be configured to support lighter display screens.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Devices For Indicating Variable Information By Combining Individual Elements (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention a trait à un système de support réglable permettant de supporter une charge telle qu'un écran (D). Le système de support inclut : un point de fixation (4), un support (8) destiné à la charge et un bras support (2) disposé entre ceux-ci, le bras support étant connecté pivotant au point fixe et à la charge; un élément élastiquement déformable (12) permettant de contrebalancer la force sur le bras support de manière à opposer au moins partiellement un moment sur le bras support autour du point de fixation résultant du poids de la charge qui est attachée au support; et un système de réglage permettant de régler l'élément élastiquement déformable, le système de réglage ayant pour fonction de régler la position d'une extrémité de l'élément élastiquement déformable entre une première position prédéterminée et définie par rapport au bras support et une seconde position prédéterminée et définie par rapport au bras support de manière à régler la longueur de l'élément élastiquement déformable et ainsi régler une précharge sur l'élément élastiquement déformable.
PCT/GB2012/051859 2011-08-01 2012-08-01 Système de support réglable WO2013017874A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1113272.7 2011-08-01
GB1113272.7A GB2493365A (en) 2011-08-01 2011-08-01 Adjustable support system with slidable spring pusher

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2013017874A1 true WO2013017874A1 (fr) 2013-02-07

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB2012/051859 WO2013017874A1 (fr) 2011-08-01 2012-08-01 Système de support réglable

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GB (1) GB2493365A (fr)
WO (1) WO2013017874A1 (fr)

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CN109763407A (zh) * 2019-02-15 2019-05-17 中铁四局集团第一工程有限公司 摊铺机行走控制装置、摊铺机及摊铺机行走控制方法
US11415201B2 (en) 2019-05-31 2022-08-16 Apple Inc. Display lift arm
CN112013235B (zh) * 2019-05-31 2022-04-05 苹果公司 显示器升降臂
US11408785B2 (en) * 2020-03-10 2022-08-09 Sensata Technologies, Inc. Force sensor assembly
CN114033944B (zh) * 2021-11-30 2023-06-23 联想(北京)有限公司 支撑装置及电子设备

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GB2493365A (en) 2013-02-06

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