WO2024069595A1

WO2024069595A1 - Display device support arm having improved stability, adjustment mobility and modularity

Info

Publication number: WO2024069595A1
Application number: PCT/IB2023/059817
Authority: WO
Inventors: Timothy Francis; Graham TEMPLE; Calvin TEMPLE; Arthur Anthony PIGOU; David Andrew Walker; Benjamin Edward Hone
Original assignee: Arrow Group Global Limited
Priority date: 2022-09-29
Filing date: 2023-09-29
Publication date: 2024-04-04
Also published as: GB202214327D0; GB2622845A

Abstract

The present invention provides a display device support arm (10) of the type comprising a support post (40) secured to a stable surface, the post having profiled slots along its length to receive locking height-adjustment elements (50). The height-adjustment elements include a pair of spaced-apart receiver arms of a bearing joint for coupling either directly to a display mounting head or to a support arm element to which there is operably coupled a display device mount or a mount interface. The height-adjustment element incorporates a retractable element adapted to engage lockingly with a toothed locking track secured within the or each profiled slot. The invention further describes modular elements adapted to interengage via a constant friction bearing joint, including said height-adjustment element, support arm element and mounting head, methods for installing a support arm and setting a tilt mechanism and a kit of parts for a single display device or an array thereof.

Description

DISPLAY DEVICE SUPPORT ARM HAVING IMPROVED STABILITY, ADJUSTMENT MOBILITY AND MODULARITY

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to support arms of the type used for display monitors and screens often mounted on desks and workstations in a commercial or business environment. Support arms of this type commonly have an anchored upright from which a multi-positional arm extends to an attachment mechanism for the display or monitor.

The invention more particularly relates to a multi-positional display support arm having multi-axis manoeuvrability to facilitate swift controllable adjustment of a display device with minimal effort from one static position to another selfsupported position without use of tools or locking and unlocking support arm elements.

Most particularly, the invention relates to facilitating movement of a display device in three orthogonal directions including lockable pitch (tilt) and optionally separate rotational control of said display device.

The support arm of the present invention comprises a number of discrete assemblies which are uniquely featured and, as will be described hereinbelow, secured to one another by couplings which, in themselves, have technical attributes not heretofore realised.

It is acknowledged that certain ones of the assemblies may be adapted for use with existing support arms and, as such, have separate commercial lives. Each such assembly, identified in the detailed description, has novel features and technical advantages alluded to in the extensive prior art. Furthermore, the couplings and joints securing respective assemblies have been designed for longevity and adjustment-free use, de-skilling the installation process and reducing end-user maintenance, in many instances, to zero.

It will be appreciated by the skilled addressee, that the invention, although directed to monitors and display screens, may be utilised for any purpose requiring the support of a substantially flat surface on which information may be displayed or entered.

Additionally, as screens become more multi-functional, the dual purpose of display and input, via touchscreen, can be incorporated.

Although the primary use to which the invention is applied remains the positioning and support of a display device, it is not intended to be so limited and the reader will appreciate that there are numerous further uses to which the support arm of the invention may be applied.

Background to the Invention

As many industries and professions gravitate towards computer control, businesses generally utilise computers to conduct all transactional and information services and, as knowledge-based enterprises increasingly predominated the business landscape, the use of computer screens as visual display devices and/or input devices increases. One of the areas of expanding use is in call centres and centralised distribution centres where online retailers accept and process telephone and online orders.

Additionally, with the advent of the 2020 global pandemic (COVID-19), there has been an increased incidence of individuals conducting work from their domestic environment rather than using business premises and, as a result, the use of larger auxiliary screens with laptops and other display screens particularly for online videoconferencing (notably via Zoom™ meetings) within that environment has increased markedly. As the domestic environment is not set up as a workplace, a simple improvement may be provided by the installation of a display device support arm. Consequently, there is arising a demand for support arms that are easy to instal and may be secured to simple flat surfaces, such as those found on dining tables, kitchen tables and small home-office desks.

Furthermore, with call-centre staff and marketing professionals being advised against working within spaces where ‘social distancing’ cannot be observed, the requirement for dual screen and multiple display device arrays also markedly increased. Despite easing of restrictions and many individuals returning to the workplace, there remains a demand for “homeworking” and office workers are increasingly requesting the option to work from home at least one day per week.

With this increase in computer and display screen use, is a corresponding increase in sedentary behaviour where users spend many continuous hours in front of a display screen. Accordingly, attention is now directed to the ergonomics of all equipment used in such environments to avoid posture -related health problems, predominantly back strain, muscle spasm, repetitive strain injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome and fatigue leading to stress.

It is well known that correct posture and a relaxed stance is more beneficial than adopting one’s body to awkward positions leading to onset of fatigue and muscle strain. A common result of long-term lower back immobility or spasm of the piriformis muscle is the trapping of the sciatic nerve leading to numbness, tingling or pain down the legs of the user. By keeping the spine in a neutral position, fatigue, pain and injury can be avoided or lessened.

One of the best methods known to encourage a neutral position of the spine is by elevating a monitor or screen to a natural eye level when either in the sitting or standing position. This also avoids muscle strain in the neck as a head is tipped forward, such strain often being transferred to the lower back.

As the use of cathode ray tube (CRT) based monitors and screens is phased out (slowly in the case of industrial automation and in hospitals and other medical environments) and lighter flat screen display devices become more prevalent, the use of support arms having increased manoeuvrability becomes more common. This has meant that arms supporting horizontal platforms on which monitors are placed, such as that exemplified by the disclosure of US Patent No. 6,012,693 (to Voeller et al.) and monitor suspension systems such as that disclosed in US Patent No. 4,836,478 (to Sweere), have become superfluous.

It will be understood that certain terms used in the description which follows are intended to describe specific situations and should not be interpreted as limiting of the scope of the invention or its use. The phrase “display device” is used to indicate any device or surface on which information may be presented or displayed whether physically or electronically. Its use is intended to be interchangeable with “monitor” or “screen” and includes touchscreens and input devices having visual instruction within display elements.

Although the nature of or technology used in a display device is not critical, the invention is directed particularly towards flat screen displays for which there are standard mount adapters. Accordingly, in the description that follows the acronyms FDMI (flat display mounting interface) and VESA (Video Electronic Standards Association) are used interchangeably in respect of the display mount.

Over the years there have been many varieties of display device mount (VESA mount) and interfaces for VESA mounts presented to the marketplace, only some of which have met with any degree of success. As it is notoriously difficult to secure VESA mounts to the backs of display devices in-situ, it is advantageous to have a mount interface which allows the VESA mount to be secured to the display device and releasably clipped to the support arm by a secure or locking mount interface. By providing a mount interface between the display head of a support arm and the VESA mount, a degree of interchangeability is facilitated and, as will be shown hereinafter, the support arm may be converted from a single device support arm to a dual device or multi-device support arm, where a plurality of devices is conveniently attached including along one or more horizontal planes.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the support arm is adapted to be locked to a table, desk or workstation via a securing foot, however, this is not essential to the working of the support arm which may be fixed to any stable surface. Means for securing a support arm to a floor, upright (or angled) pole or a wall are known from the prior art and include brackets, hinges, joints and various other fixings, including wall-mounted rail systems, floor stands and wheeled caddies, which provide little added functionality to the support arm as a whole.

Accordingly, the term “stable surface” is intended to include any surface to which a “securing component” or “securing mechanism” may be attached with the expectation that the weight of the support arm and the or each display device supported thereby, whether static or being moved by and end-user, will be accommodated without failure or instability.

The prior art is replete with the display device support arms of one type or another with the various methods employed to provide sufficient support or to ensure positional security once placed. Of the more modem and sophisticated solutions are those support arms that use frictional axes and gas struts to maintain positional surety once the display is correctly placed. Proper balance and accurate construction facilitate light pressure being applied by a user to move the display and arm from one position to the next where, without locking of the arm, the display will maintain its position.

European Patent Application Publication No. EP 1 139 003 (to Bosson) describes a typical early style monitor arm having a vertical post to which a horizontal support arm is pivotally attached at height adjustable intervals defined by locking recesses within the post. The horizontal support arm includes a pivot joint along its length and a bracket at its free end to receive a monitor mounting head attachable to a monitor mount. Multiple arms are attachable to the upright post and power and data cables are suspended under the or each support arm and to the upright post using clips.

International Patent Application Publication No. WO 2008/012368 (to Wills et al) follows on from the Bosson disclosure in that it describes a mounting bracket for securing the vertical post on which the support arm is mounted to the surface of a wall or partition panel in which there are provided at least a pair of spaced apart parallel horizontal channels into which clamping members operably engage. The requirement for more functional, adaptable and aesthetically pleasing support arms has driven the development of display support arms which have fluidly movable elements with adjustable motion resistance and lockable, quick-release joints, combining intuitively adaptable configuration, advanced design aspects, together with the convenience of, for example, integrated cable routing.

To provide the user experience required, it is necessary to provide a means for, independently of the support arm, altering the pitch (tilt angle) of the display screen and to ensure the screen is stabilised in its new position. An enhancement of this facilitates the rotation of the screen, for example, from a landscape to a portrait orientation, without altering the overall position or pitch of the screen.

In currently available support arms where a tilt function is provided, the screen is positioned using compression of friction surfaces to limit movement or stabilise an acquired position. Many complex and multi-component arrangements are disclosed in the prior art and most all are prone to wear or require user adjustment throughout the life of the support arm. Certain earlier disclosures, such as that exemplified by United States Patent Application Publication No. US 2001/0050327 (to Sweere et al.), describe ratcheting arrangements to provide for rotational repositioning of a mounting plate about a horizontal axis.

United States Patent Application Publication No. 2011/0303805 (to Lau et al.) details in its preamble many of the disadvantages associated with preceding (and many still current) support arm systems. One of the perceived disadvantages highlighted is with the known four-bar or parallelogram linkage arm arrangements which are often bulky and unsightly. To avoid this and to account for the varying torque and loads experienced at the many pivot axes, a compression spring is provided which must be manually adjusted during installation to account for the anticipated loads.

In the construction disclosed, there is provided a means for preloading the compression spring, the adjustment being visible as a load indicator through a window formed in the arm casing. In most modern support arm arrangements, the compression spring has been superseded by a gas strut. Although the superseding gas strut eliminates much of the overhead associated with compression springs, they must be set up correctly at installation and are known to fail over time. The cost of repair or replacement of a gas strut often exceeds that of a new display device support arm.

The disclosure also describes a display device mounting element comprising an arcuate hook which is slidably secured to the support arm via plastic mouldings each having bearing surfaces which are clamped around the hoop to define a motion joint for pitch angle (tilt) control.

An alternative motion joint is described in United States Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0084527 (also to Lau el al.) for facilitating independent movement of a display device with respect to the main support arm elements. The joint has a high component count including multiple bearing services requiring maintenance and adjustment during the product lifetime.

Thus, the primary components and adjustments required of a display device support arm of the type to which the present invention is particularly directed are: a securing component to attach the support arm and mounted display device to a stable surface such as a desk, workstation, wall or floor; a height-adjustable element, secured to the stable surface via the securing component, for attaching one or more support arm elements to the securing component; and a display mounting head engaging a support arm element and adapted to operatively secure a flat display mounting interface (FDMI) of the type also known as a VESA mount.

International Patent Application Publication No WO 2020/119886 (to Colebrook Bosson & Saunders) and Chinese Utility Patent Publication No CN 20714899 U (to Che) each describe a display device support arm in which there is provided a support post having a securing foot, the support post including a slot along its length in which a grip assembly is engaged to allow for height adjustment of a display mounting head carried on one or more support arm elements. In the Colebrook Bosson & Saunders disclosure, the grip assembly includes lip regions adapted to engage spaced-apart longitudinal slots on the support post and a gripping pad, which normally bears against the exterior surface of the post between said spaced- apart slots to create a clamping force. The gripping pad is operably disengaged from the post surface to allow the grip assembly to be moved along the post. In Che, the longitudinal slot has a T-shaped profile within which a correspondingly shaped block is locked via a threaded bolt to create a clamping force. When the bolt is released, the block is allowed to move within the slot.

The skilled addressee will also appreciate that there are numerous design demands, cost control pressures and market forces which preclude the use of optimum engineering techniques to provide a well-constructed and finely balanced support arm that has good durability. More commonly, poor manufacturing tolerances, low- grade materials and the use of stock components mean that vertical axis rotary joints rock and horizontal axis friction joints lose their ability to hold the weight of a display device as components wear with age and use. Ongoing maintenance of support arms becomes a necessity and user adjustment of critical weight-bearing or friction joints is unreliable.

There are many instances where it is advantageous to support two display devices either in a side-by-side or over-and-under configuration. Where a second display device is an adjunct to the primary display device, means for attaching the second device to the first may suffice. Exemplary of such systems are those disclosed in International Patent Application Publication No. WO 2013/056115 (to Funk et al.), where a lightweight display device is attached to a primary monitor via a support bracket having a VESA mount attachment and a clamping member for securing the lightweight device to the monitor, and in International Patent Application Publication No. WO 2017/058537 (to Akharas et al.), where an attachment mechanism for securing a secondary display device to a primary device includes means for altering the angle of the second device with respect to the first.

Where the size, weight or primacy of the devices are equal, a more comprehensive approach is required. United States Patent No. 8,596,599 (to Carson etal.) discloses an apparatus for and method of mounting a plurality of display monitors where the monitors may move in unison to accommodate the visual preferences of all users. Each monitor is attached via a VESA style mount to a mounting bracket which attaches to a rail. Each rail may have one or more support post. The mounting bracket includes angle adjustment means which must be individually adjusted and set during installation which requires a significant amount of time and installer skill.

International Patent Application Publication No. WO 2008/091998 (to Saez el al.) discloses a support system for multiple display devices and office accessories and emulates the curvilinear arrangement of the Carson disclosure using a sectional rail onto which VESA mounting brackets may be fixed. The or each rail is mounted to a support post or a horizontal support arm which is in turn mounted to a post. Tilt adjustment of each display device is difficult and time consuming and the integrity of the support system is questionable.

As will be readily appreciated from the patent literature, there are many different approaches taken to solving some of the technical disadvantages. Each area presents specific concerns, however, many aspects are common and will be addressed hereinafter.

It is well appreciated that the currently methods of support arm and display device installation, particularly for large volume business installations, are overly time consuming and are often inconsistent in that there are few reference points for an installer to use reliably so as to replicate the torque settings on various friction joints, pre-load adjustment on spring or gas strut arm elements and the angles required for mount interfaces or display brackets.

Due to the skill required of an installer, this phase of a call-centre refit, for example, can add significantly to the cost of the installation.

It will also be seen that when it comes to fixing display devices on the support arms in a new installation there is additional skill required in the handling and fitting of display devices to newly installed arms. Where pitch angle or tilt mechanisms are provided on the support arms, it is essential that these are consistently and regularly positioned across the installation to achieve optimum reliability and satisfaction to the end users.

In International Patent Publication No WO 2020/144660 (to the present Applicant) there is describes a display device support arm in which arm elements together with a locking tilting mounting head provide near infinitely variable adjustment of a supported display device which can be adjusted in the major planes without unlocking joints or removing the load (supported device). The device seeks to address many of the above identified disadvantages and makes extensive use of Belleville washers and shouldered bolts to provide consistent and predictable friction at a joint irrespective of time -related wear. The display mounting head and support arm elements (including that having a load adjustment indicator) may be adapted for use with the present invention and accordingly the teaching of the above publication is incorporated herein by reference.

Although the above disclosure presents means to add additional display devices and present an array of devices on a rail assembly, the question of modularity and flexibility of construction is not adequately addressed.

It is an object of the present invention to seek to obviate the primary disadvantages associated with prior art constructions of display device support arms.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide an improved support arm having multi-axis manoeuvrability and swift adjustment of a display device with minimal effort from one static position to another self-supporting position.

It is yet a further object of the invention to provide lockable pitch (tilt) and rotational control of one or more display devices on a support arm.

It is a yet further object of the invention to provide a range of modular components of a support arm which provide enhanced reliability and control of the axes of movement of a support arm.

It is an additional object of the invention to provide identical friction joints on multiple support arm components to define a universal joint which facilitates modularity and interconnection of different components making up the support arm, said joints providing repeatable, reliable arm element support and having a component life which vastly exceeds the anticipated operational life of the support arm to which it is fitted.

It is further an object of the present invention to provide a simplified method of installation of a support arm to facilitate more rapid large volume installs and easy self-installation for a small business or home office user.

It is a yet further object of the invention to reduce significantly the labour and time overhead of tasks associated with the installation of a large number of support arms for display devices in a commercial setting.

It is a yet additional object of the invention to provide a means for individual users to order essential components of a support arm to achieve a construction that meets particular demands without accumulating non-essential parts and to facilitate adaptation of an existing construction to changing requirements. The invention presents adaptations and modifications of standard modular components to provide enhanced modularity and utility. Thus, the invention is eminently suitable for online ordering and delivery for home installation.

The variants of the illustrated or described components of the invention and the uses to which they are applied are not intended to be taken as limiting, merely illustrative of the typical scenarios within which the fittings and methods of installation of the invention are adapted for use.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention provides a display device support arm of the type comprising: a support post adapted to secure the arm to a stable surface, the post having at least one profiled slot along its length; a height- adjustment element having locking means to operably engage the profiled slot on the support post; and a display mounting head having a first part including a pivot receiver of a bearing joint and a second part pivotally movable with respect to the first part and operably coupled to a display device mount or interface thereto, characterised in that the profiled slot has secured therein a toothed locking track; and in that the height- adjustment element incorporates a retractable element adapted to engage lockingly with the track to provide load-bearing support of a display device.

The height- adjustment element includes a pair of spaced-apart receiver arms of the bearing joint each defining an aperture for pivotal engagement with the pivot receiver of said bearing joint.

Advantageously, the bearing joint comprises bearing inserts locatable within the receiver arm apertures and pivot receiver, the receiver arms and pivot receiver being rotatably movable with respect to each other about a pivot pin.

Preferably, the pivot pin is profiled to receive a retaining clamp to secure the pin within the bearing joint.

Conveniently, the pivot pin includes axially deflectable user-actuated buttons adapted to engage releasingly said receiver arm apertures.

Advantageously, the display mounting head defines a toothed arcuate surface on said first part with which a correspondingly toothed locking block mounted within the second part and adapted to be brought into and out of engagement with the arcuate surface to controllably alter the pitch (tilt) of the second part of the head and any display device mount and/or display device mounted thereon.

In an alternative construction, the toothed locking block is moved laterally into and out of engagement with the arcuate surface via a user-actuated button.

In a preferred alternative construction, the display mounting head defines a spherical head surface on said first part, the spherical surface being adapted lockingly to engage with a correspondingly profiled receiver of the second part to controllably alter the pitch (tilt) and rotation of the second part of the head and any display device mount and/or display device mounted thereon.

Optionally, the second part is integrally formed with a display mounting interface adapted to attach directly to a display device.

Conveniently, each support arm element includes a pivot receiver of the bearing joint at one end and a pair of receiver arms of the bearing joint at the other end to facilitate pivotal attachment to a height- adjustment element, a mounting head or a second support arm element. Each support arm element modularly links with additional arm elements to provide long articulated arms.

Preferably, the or each support arm element includes a cable retainer for holding power and data cables proximate a body of the support arm element intermediate said ends.

Conveniently, the support post is attached or fixed to the stable surface by a securing component selected from a wall bracket, a table or workstation securing foot; a wheeled caddie or a ground-engaging plate.

Regular flexing of cables when moving a support creates stresses within the cables which can, over time, lead to their failure. Where cables are tightly restrained, further stresses occur leading to more rapid of failure. It is well known to loosely route cables through channels however, access is often limited.

Advantageously, the support post includes a plurality of elongate adjustment slots within each of which are disposed toothed locking tracks, to which a correspondingly toothed actuator retractably mounted within the height-adjustment element operably engages.

With a single adjustment slot, height-adjustment elements may be positioned one above another, from which support arm elements may extend laterally, to provide a multi-device support arm. By providing a plurality of adjustment slots, ideally a front and two side slots, height- adjustment elements may be positioned in all slots at a selected height facilitating presentation of a horizontal array of display devices.

Conveniently, the support post comprises a substantially cylindrical extruded profile presenting at each end a plurality of fixing apertures into which a securing component operably engages.

The invention further provides a securing component for attaching the support post to a stable support surface comprises a securing foot having a base element, on which there is disposed an adjustment housing and within which is disposed a clamping bolt, and a clamping element which is drawn towards the underside of the base element to fix the foot to the stable surface, the clamping element being tightened and released by the rotation of the clamping bolt which has a lower threaded end operably engaging a correspondingly threaded aperture in the clamping element and a profiled upper end retained in the adjustment housing by a stop collar, the upper end thereof being axially slidingly received within a userinteraction knob which when rotated imparts axial movement to the clamping element.

Ideally, the knob is movable between a retracted position within the housing and a user-interaction position.

Advantageously, the knob includes tool engagement means for tightening or releasing the clamping element.

Most preferably, the adjustment housing defines a user-interaction knob cavity having a profiled track on its lower inner circumference, the cavity accommodating an annular cap which defines a second profiled track disposed adjacent the cavity track, the user knob being mounted on an annular collar which has radial projections for interacting with the tracks to provide push-release and retention of the knob between its interaction and retracted positions, respectively.

This preferred construction facilitates simple tightening or release of the clamping element and ensures that the user-interaction point is discreetly hidden from interference in normal day-to-day use of the support arm and presents an aesthetic finish.

Conveniently, the support post slidingly receives a profiled retainer on the adjustment housing within the fixing slot thereof, said slot further being adapted to receive at least one cable retainer therein.

This arrangement provides additional constructional integrity to the combination of support post and securing component. The fixing slot along the rearwardly presenting face of the post has additional functionality including as a channel for cables or for accommodating cable retainers for neatly routing cables from source to the or each display device, optionally also via cable retainers mounted on the support arm elements.

Preferably, the securing foot is fixed to the support post by passing self-tapping screws through apertures formed in the base element of the foot to engage inwardly directed tabs in said fixing apertures of the post.

Alternatively, the securing foot is fixed to the support post by providing mounting posts in the apertures formed in the base element of the foot to engage said fixing apertures of the post. Ideally, the mounting posts are integrally formed with the base element of the foot.

The underside of the base element and the clamping element are provided with a plurality of anti-slip pads where they engage the stable surface to aid grip thereto.

Conveniently, an end cap having grip elements adapted to fit the fixing apertures of the support post is provided to close the open profile ends thereof.

Ideally, the end cap incorporates a tool holder for accommodating a securing tool within a central void of the support post profile.

In a further aspect of the invention there is provided a height- adjustment element comprising: a body housing a locking means; a ratchet actuator having a toothed surface biased to engage the locking track disposed within the profiled slot of the support post; and an actuation button which operationally retracts the ratchet actuator from locking engagement with the support post track, thereby releasing the height-adjustment element to move along the profiled slot.

Preferably, the ratchet actuator includes actuating arms on which there are provided bearing surfaces which engage corresponding bearing surfaces within the actuator button, which when operationally pushed into the body retracts the toothed surface on the actuator from corresponding teeth on the post track.

In a yet further aspect of the invention there is provided a constant friction bearing joint comprising: bearing surface apertures defined within each of a pair of spaced-apart receiver arms; a pivot receiver locatable between said receiver arms; and bearing inserts mountable within said receiver arm apertures and said pivot receiver and adapted to align to define a pivot axis and receive a pivot pin on which the receiver arms and pivot receiver are rotatably mounted, whereby support arm elements and display mounting heads having one part or end thereof a pivot receiver are pivotally mountable on height-adjustment elements, having on one part, or support arm elements having on an opposite end thereof, receiver arms.

In the preferred construction, the pivot pin is profiled to receive a retaining clamp to secure the pin within the bearing joint. In an alternative construction, the pivot receiver comprises a joint mechanism housing having a pair of outwardly projecting, identical, user-activation buttons defining the pivot axis and slidingly mounted within collar elements which form corresponding bearing surfaces for interaction with the bearing surfaces of the receiver arms when the housing is operationally accommodated for rotation between the arms and said buttons are engaged within the apertures thereof, thereby to provide a durable load-bearing, constant friction bearing joint which will not alter over the product lifetime.

Most conveniently, the bearing surfaces and bearing inserts are formed as component inserts of low-friction thermoplastics material.

Preferably, the display mounting head includes a mount interface adapted to engage a receiver formed within a rotational lock operably coupled to a display device mount whereby when disengaged the lock facilitates rotation of the display device mount and any display device mounted thereon.

In one construction, the display rotation lock additionally comprises an annular cam actuated locking mechanism having a substantially annular body on which there is provided a push tab to rotate the annulus from a locked position, where cams on the internal periphery thereof engage a corresponding surface of the display rotation lock, to an unlocked position where the display device mount is allowed to rotate.

In an alternative construction, the display rotation lock additionally comprises an annular clamp having an over-lever actuated locking mechanism which in a locked position provides an inwardly directed radial force which acts on a peripheral surface of the display rotation lock and in an unlocked position allows the display device mount to rotate.

The present invention also provides a method of adjusting the pitch angle (tilt) of a display device, the method comprising: providing a tilt mechanism within a display mounting head adapted to secure a display device on a display device support arm, the mechanism having releasable locking means whereby one part of the mounting head is movable with respect to the other when the mechanism is released; operating a release means to disengage the locking means of the tilt mechanism; manually positioning a display device mount or device mounted thereon to the required pitch angle; and re-engaging the locking means to fix the pitch angle.

Optionally, the tilt mechanism includes an arcuate toothed surface and an axially disposed pivot on one part, and on the other part there is mounted for rotation about the pivot a display device mount and a toothed locking block adapted to move out of biased engagement with the arcuate surface to facilitate said rotational movement, whereby operating a push button disengages the locking block from the arcuate surface allowing the pitch angle to be adjusted and releasing the push button re-engages the locking block with the arcuate surface.

Ideally, the toothed arcuate surface is centrally axially disposed along the pivot and the toothed locking block is moved laterally into and out of engagement with the toothed arcuate surface.

In a yet further aspect of the invention there is provided a method of installing a plurality of display device support arms, the method including: selecting a stable surface on which to secure a support post; mounting a securing component to the stable surface; fixing the support post to the securing component; attaching a height- adjustment element to the support post; attaching via a rotary bearing joint a display mounting head to the height- adjustment element; noting a selected tilt angle; and repeating the above actions for each display device support arm of the installation, utilising the established tilt angles.

In its final aspect, the present invention provides a kit of parts for a display device support arm, the kit comprising at least: a support post; a securing component for attaching the support post to a stable surface; a height-adjustment element; and a display mounting head having a mount interface for attaching to a display device mount.

The kit of parts facilitates online ordering of bespoke systems or particular configurations designed by the end user. The inherent modularity of the component parts allows for future expansion or modification without significant reinvestment.

Any kit of parts thus may also include at least one of: a support arm element; an end cap (optionally including a toolholder and tool); a locking ring having an interface receiver and display device mount; cable retainers for the support post; and cable retainers for the or each support arm element.

In constructions exemplifying the preferred embodiments of the invention, the securing component comprises a securing foot of the type herein described.

Advantageously, the kit of parts facilitates the construction of a display device support arm configured to support an array of display devices and may include modified components and additional elements selected from: a dual support post engaging securing foot having at least one clamping element; elongate support posts; height- adjustment elements; support arm elements; and display mounting heads.

In a display array where numerous display devices are supported, the dual securing foot facilitates the positioning of adjacent support posts each of which operationally support multiple display devices on outwardly extending support arm elements, the support posts additionally may include at least one load-distributing tie therebetween slidingly engaged in facing adjustment slots so as to balance the weight applied to the extending arms.

As available options within the kit of parts, the display mounting head may be selected from a mounting head having a toothed arcuate surface and a mounting head having a spherical head surface.

To provide enhanced modularity between the present invention and alternative types of support arm structures, for example that presented in the present Applicant’s International Patent Publication No WO 2020/144660, an interface component having on one part a pivot receiver for engaging a pair of spaced-apart receiver arms and on another part a mounting post for coupling to a support arm element or display mounting head having a corresponding mounting post receiver is provided within a kit of parts.

Thus, the invention provides a ready means for individual users to order essential components of a support arm to achieve a construction that meets particular demands without accumulating non-essential parts and to facilitate adaptation of an existing construction to changing requirements. The adaptations and modifications of standard modular components provides enhanced modularity and utility. In combination with the methods presented herein, the invention is eminently suitable for online ordering and delivery for home installation.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The present invention will now be described more particularly with reference to the accompanying drawings which show, by way of example only, a display device support arm, together with details of preferred embodiments of assemblies and components, which in combination define the preferred constructions of support arm in accordance with the invention. In the drawings:

Figures la and lb are front and rear perspective views respectively of a display device support arm of the invention having a locking display mounting head with mount interface adapted to engage a flat display mounting interface (FDMI) for a single display device, a height- adjustment element for attaching a support arm element to a support post, and a securing foot;

Figures 2a to 2b are perspective elevations of a support arm securing foot having a secure surface clamping element adjustably movable with respect to a support post attachment means;

Figures 2c to 2d are sectional perspective elevations of a support arm securing foot having clamping elements suitable for secure surface edge engagement and through-hole engagement, respectively;

Figures 2e to 2h are detailed elevations locking mechanism components of the securing foot;

Figures 2i and 2j are sectional side elevations of the securing foot in locked and adjustable configurations, respectively;

Figures 3a to 3e a perspective view, front side and rear elevations and a detailed cross-sectional elevation of a support post having a plurality of elongate slots within which are disposed locking tracks, to each of which a height- adjustment element may engage, allowing pivotal attachment of a first support arm element thereto; Figures 4a and 4b are perspective front and rear elevations of a height-adjustment element having support arm receivers at the front thereof and support post slot profile at the rear thereof from which a ratchetted actuator operationally protrudes;

Figures 4c to 4f are top and bottom perspective view of an actuator button for the ratchetted actuator, Figure 4e is a sectional perspective elevation of the actuator button and Figure 4f is a perspective elevation of the actuator;

Figures 5 a and 5b are detailed sectional side elevations of the mechanical locking and release of the ratchetted actuator of the height- adjustment element with respect to the locking track within a slot of the support post;

Figures 6a and 6b are perspective rear and front elevations of a variant of heightadjustment element having support arm receivers at the front thereof and, at the rear thereof, an integral support post slot engaging profile and a receiver aperture;

Figures 6c and 6d are perspective rear and front elevations of an actuator guide;

Figures 6e and 6f are perspective rear and front elevations of an actuator variant;

Figures 7a to 7d are top and bottom perspective view and side and bottom plan elevations of end cap for closing the open end of a support post, the cap having an integrated carrier means for securing an adjustment tool to the underside thereof to be accommodated out of normal view within the profile of the support post;

Figures 8a and 8b are front and rear perspective views of a support arm element having at one end a pivot joint having outer bearing surfaces and a pair of depressible pivot buttons and at the other end corresponding inner bearing surfaces and receivers for pivot buttons of a second arm element, a height-adjustment element or a mounting head;

Figures 9a to 9c are detailed sectional side elevations of respective ends of two support arm elements, firstly in locked pivotal engagement, secondly where the pivot buttons have been depressed to disengage and finally separated; Figures 10a and 10b are assembled and exploded perspective views of a multiple support arm element configuration in which a first support arm element is pivotally engaged to a height-adjustment element and to a second support arm element at the other end, the second support arm element being in turn pivotally engaged to a display mounting head;

Figures I la and 11b are front and rear perspective elevations of a locking display mounting head with mount interface adapted to engage a flat display mounting interface (FDMI) or VESA mount;

Figures 11c and l id are exposed top plan views of the locking mechanism of the display mounting head of Figures I la and 11b in locked and pivotably movably configurations;

Figures l ie to 11g are sectional side elevations of the mounting head in central, lowered and raised tilt positions, respectively;

Figures 12a and 12b are detailed perspective elevations of a selected flat display device mount (VESA mount), each having a display rotation lock including a receiver for attaching to the mounting head mount interface illustrated in Figures 1 la to I lf, the rotation lock of Figure 12a having a locking collar movable between a locked position and an open position to facilitate rotation of the VESA mount and the rotation lock of Figure 12b having an over-lever actuator to release the VESA mount for rotation;

Figure 13 is a perspective elevation of a display mounting head of the invention comprising an adjustable tilt and rotational control mechanism integrally formed with a selected flat display device mount (VESA mount);

Figure 14 is a perspective view of an assembly kit or kit of parts for a display device support arm of the invention comprising a support post with associated end cap, an optional support foot with associated clamp and clamping bolt, a height-adjustment element, a single support arm element, tilting mounting head and lockable rotating VESA mount; Figures 15 and Figures 16 illustrate the use of the modular components of the invention to provide display devices configurations including a dual display support and an array of six display devices, respectively; and

Figure 17 is an elevation of an enhanced array utilising additional or modified components to provide further modularity to the display device support arm of the invention.

Detailed Description of the Drawings

Referring to the drawings and initially to Figures la and lb, the display device support arm 10 of the invention comprises a securing foot 20, a support post 40, a height- adjustment element 50, a first support arm element 80, a second support arm element 80’, and a locking display mounting head 100 carrying a mount interface I adapted to engage a flat display mounting interface (FDMI), specifically a VESA mount V, optionally via an intermediate locking ring 120, 120’ to provide enhanced rotational control of the VESA mounted display device.

Provided on each of the support arm elements 80, 80’ and the mounting heads 100 is a universal joint 90, described in more detail with reference to Figures 9a to 9c (and its alternative as shown in Figures 10a and 10b), which facilitates easy connection and interoperability of components to provide enhanced modularity of the support arm as will be illustrated more particularly with reference to Figures 15 to 17.

By utilising a combination of preferred features which have intuitive user interfaces, uniformly constructed pivot joints, machined surfaces push-button release of interlocking components, releasable pivot joints and simple height-adjustment mechanisms, a more functional, adaptable and aesthetically pleasing support arm is presented.

As will be seen from Figure la and lb additional support arm elements 80, 80’ can be added via the universal joint 90 or may be eliminated it altogether to the construction by connecting a mounting head 100 directly to a height adjustment element 50 via the universal joint 90. The flexibility and modularity of the support arm and methods of installation discussed hereinbelow makes it inherently more suitable for the small business, home office and individual user. Simple cable routing is facilitated by provision of post retainers 49 and support arm retainers 88.

Referring now to Figures 2a to 2j, the preferred construction of securing foot 20 is shown. It will be appreciated by the skilled addressee that any traditional securing component may be used to fix the support post 40 to a stable support surface and can include a simple post receiver, clamping brackets or fittings adapted to engage specific features of the support post fixed or otherwise secured to a table, desk, workstation, floor or wall without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The preferred construction is adapted to securely fix the support post 40 to the edge region of a desk or workstation. A modification of the securing foot 20 is adapted to engage a standard cable routing aperture in a desk or workstation and will be described in more detail with reference to Figure 2d.

The securing foot 20 comprises an upper body portion, having a base element 21, the underside of which engages the upper plane of a support surface, and a housing 22 within which an adjustment mechanism 30 for a lower clamping element 23 is disposed. The clamping element 23 is brought into and out of engagement with the lower plane of the support surface (not shown) by a threaded clamping bolt 24 which engages a correspondingly threaded hole 25 in a concealed upper arm 26 of the clamping member 23. The housing 22 includes a profiled retainer 27 adapted to engage a corresponding receiver or fixing slot in the support post 40. In Figure 2a, four holes 28 are disposed in the base element 21 to align with corresponding apertures, shown in the profile section view of the support post 40 of Figure 3e, for securely fixing the post to the securing foot. In one construction, self-tapping screws are used to attach the post 40 to the foot 20 before the foot is mounted on a support surface. Optionally, fixing pillars (not shown) are inserted into the base element apertures 28 or are integrity formed therewith to allow the support post to be fitted to or removed from an already secured foot.

Figures 2c and 2d are detailed sectional elevations of two variants of securing foot 20 in which a first variant includes a clamping element 23 adapted for engagement to the edge of a support surface, ideally a desktop or table top, and has an upper arm 26 which extends around the support surface edge. The second variant has a modified clamping element 23’ in which the upper arm element 26’ is profiled to facilitate its positioning via a cable-routing through-hole aperture commonly provided in workstations and office desks. Both the support surface engaging underside of the base element 21 and the clamping element 23, 23 are provided with grip pads 29 to enhance initial adhesion and prevent rotation of the foot when being secured or when in use. The underside of the base element 21 may be profiled or have pads 29 profile to engage a through-hole cable routing aperture. It will be seen from Figure 2d that the shape of the upper arm element 26 facilitates existing cabling cable routing through the base element 21.

Also shown in Figures 2c and 2d is the adjusted adjustment mechanism 30 for the securing foot 20 allowing the clamping element 23, 23’ to be tightened against or released from a support surface. The mechanism comprises a push-button knob 31 movable against spring bias from a retracted position to an extended userinteraction position in which rotational movement provided by a user (by hand or by a provided hex (Allen) key) is translated to the clamping bolt 24 thereby tightening or loosening the clamping element 23, 23’.

The clamping bolt 24 has a lower threaded end operably engaging a corresponding threaded aperture 25 of the clamping element 23, 23’ and a profiled upper end retained in the adjustment housing by a stop collar and being profiled to be actuably slidingly received within a user-interaction knob which when rotated imparts axial movement to the clamping element.

A cavity 32 integrally formed within the upper part of the housing 22 has a sawtooth profile track 33 above which sits an annular cap 34 which has within its inner diameter a further profile track 35 operationally defining the retracted and userinteraction positions of the push-button knob 31. Coaxial and rotatable independently of the push-button knob 31 is a collar 36 having radial projections 37 each having angled upper and lower lands thereon to respectively engage with the profile track 35 of the annular cap 34 and on the saw-tooth profile track 33 formed within the cavity 32.

To move the knob 31 from its retracted to extended position it should be pressed to rotate the collar 36 as the projections 37 thereon engage the lower cavity track 33 and progress towards a position where the projections align with the elongate interval 35’ on the upper annular cap track 35. With this alignment, the biasing spring moves the knob 31 to its extended user- interaction position allowing it to be rotated and act on the clamping bolt 24 as described above. A tool receiver is optionally provided in the knob 31 to allow for additional turning force to be applied to the clamping bolt using a hex (Allen) key.

In an unillustrated embodiment, the securing foot 20, the adjustment mechanism 30 and user interaction knob is eliminated. The modified clamping bolt 24 is substituted by a bolt having a lower threaded end operably engaging the corresponding threaded aperture 25 of the clamping element 23, 23’, as before and a profiled upper end adapted to receive a hex (Allen) key directly within the head thereof.

As illustrated in Figures 3a to 3e, the support post 40 comprises an extruded profile, as detailed in Figure 3e, defining three support arm element adjustment slots 41, 42, 43 and a rearwardly facing fixing slot 45. Each of the adjustment slots 41, 42, 43 has a ratchet track 46 fixed therein for engagement with the height- adjustment element 50, as will be described in more detail with reference to Figures 4a to 4f and particularly Figures 5a and 5b. The fixing slot 45 is shaped to friction fit with corresponding profiles such as that forming the retainer 27 on the securing foot 20 but may also be used to secure the post to wall mounting brackets or similar retainers or fixings attachable to vertical support surfaces, including stud walls, cubicle dividers and the like.

The support post profile also includes four fixing apertures 47 including inwardly projecting tabs 48 adapted to engage threads of self- tapping screws, securing posts or correspondingly profiled grip elements such as those described with reference to Figures 7a to 7d. The central void may be utilised in a number of ways but ideally is used to accommodate an adjustment tool. The fixing slot 45 may also be utilised as a cable routing channel where cable retainers 49 as illustrated in Figure lb are slidingly engaged in the slot 45 and have resilient wings to hold cables proximate the post.

Referring now to Figures 4a to 4f, the height-adjustment element 50 comprises a body housing 51, within which a ratchet release mechanism is housed, and a pair of receiver arms 52 adapted to engage a support arm 80, 80’ or a mounting head 100 therebetween. Each receiver arm 52 has a profiled retaining insert 53 within which there is provided a pivot aperture 54 about which a bearing surface 53’ is defined. Ideally, the insert 53 comprises a resilient thermoplastics material having low friction characteristics (for example, PEEK) to ensure the bearing surface 53’ is exceptionally hard-wearing.

The ratchet release mechanism comprises a ratchet actuator 55 having a toothed surface 56 to engage a ratchet track 46 of a support post 40, guide slots 57 and a pair of actuator arms 58 on which bevelled lands 59 are provided for engaging with an actuation button 60. The ratchet actuator extends through a support post engaging profile on the housing 51 and includes runners for the guide slots 57.

The actuator button 60 has a substantially cylindrical body having a user-actuation surface 61 at one end and a biasing spring-engagement collar 62 at the other. Along the periphery of the shaft of the body are guide slots 63 and radially extending stops 64 to control the movement of the button 61 within the housing 51. The shaft is split to accommodate the actuator arms 58 of the ratchet actuator 55 and bearing surfaces 65 on the inner split walls 66 of the button shaft are profiled to withdraw the actuator 55 by pulling the toothed surface 56 thereof out of engagement with the corresponding teeth of the ratchet track 46.

The retaining inserts 53 have upper and lower profiles, the upper profile including an aperture accommodating the actuator button 60 and the lower profile having, on its interior surface, collar elements positioned to align with the engagement collar 62 to retain the button biasing spring 68 in position. The sectional views of Figures 5a and 5b illustrate the action of the heightadjustment element 50 as it engages the support post 40. The actuator button 60 is biased upwardly by the action of the spring 68 within the body portion 51 urging the tooth surface 56 of the actuator 55 to engage with the toothed track 46 and, due to the directional profile of the respective teeth allow the element to be slid upwardly but upon release will maintain a locked position under load. Positive user interaction by pressing the user-actuation surface 61 of the button 60 is required to withdraw the tooth surface 56 from the locking track 46 to slide the heightadjustment element 50 down the track.

Pressing the exposed actuating surface 61 of the button 60 causes the bearing surfaces 65 to engage the bevelled lands 59 on the actuator arms 58, drawing the actuator 55 into the support post engaging profile of the body housing 51 and disengaging the toothed surface 56 from the teeth of the ratchet track 46 allowing the height- adjustment element 50 to be moved manually along the adjustment slot 41, 42, 43 without disengagement from the slot by virtue of said profile on the housing 51.

Figures 6a to 6f show a modified variant of the height-adjustment element 50a comprises a body housing 51a, within which a ratchet release mechanism is housed, as before. A pair of receiver arms 52a either engage a support arm element 80, 80’ or are coupled directly to a mounting head 100. Each receiver arm 52a has a pivot aperture 54a and the housing includes an aperture 5 lb for receiving the actuator button. The variant housing 51a also includes a profile element 51c adapted to engage one of the support arm element adjustment slots 41, 42, 43 to reduce potential movement between the housing and the support post 40.

As before, the ratchet release mechanism comprises a ratchet actuator 55a having a toothed surface 56a to engage a ratchet track 46 of a support post 40, guide slots 57a and a pair of actuator arms 58a on which actuator button engaging lands 59a are provided. The ratchet actuator 55a is retained within a support post engaging profile 5 Id, which is operably secured to the housing 51a via screw holes 51e, a profiled portion 5 If thereof being aligned with the housing profile element 51c to secure the height- adjustment element to the slots 41, 42, 43 of the support post 40 in use. The profile 5 Id includes a receiver portion having guide apertures 51g for the actuator arms 58a.

Ideally, the profile element 51c (and a corresponding profile at the lower part of the housing), together with the profiled portion 5 If of the support post engaging profile 5 Id, matches closely the profile of the slot into which it is adapted to engage to provide further load-bearing support when the actuator 56, 56a is engaged with the locking track 46, as will be appreciated further with reference to Figures 5a and 5b.

As noted with respect to Figure 3e, the central void of the support post 40 may be used to accommodate adjustment tools and, although it is an object of the invention to provide essentially maintenance-free use and simple installation, provision is made in the clamping of the securing foot 20 to a stable surface for the use of a hex (Allen) key in the push button knob 31 to provide additional turning moment to the bolt 24 and fasten the clamping member 23, 23’ more securely. Where the modified clamping bolt is substituted, the hex key is required for locking and releasing the clamping member.

Figures 7a to 7d show an upper end cap 70 to provide an aesthetic finish to the exposed end profile of the support post 40. The cap 70 includes hollows 71, 72, 73, 75, corresponding to and aligned with the height-adjustment slots 41, 42, 43 and the fixing slot 45, and four resilient grip members 77 adapted to engage the fixing apertures 47 of the post. A tool receiver 78 and retainer 79 are provided to hold a hex key K for hidden accommodation within the post profile void. When the cap is in position, the hollows 71, 72, 73, 75 may be used to remove the cap and gain access to the tool K.

Where no securing foot 20 is provided, the exposed lower end of the post may also be aesthetically finished by providing a lower end cap identical to that of the upper end cap 70.

Referring now to Figures 8a and 8b, the support arm element 80 comprises an elongate open-profiled body 81 having oppositely dog-legged ends to facilitate nesting of adjacent or joined components. The first end has a pair of receiver arms 82, substantially identical to the receiver arms 52 of the height-adjustment element 50, each comprising an aperture defining insert 83 which includes a bearing surface 83’ around an aperture 84, said arms 82 together being adapted to engage the universal joint 90 of a further support arm 80 or a mounting head 100. At the opposite end, the support arm includes a mechanism housing 85 adapted to accommodate the primary components of the universal joint 90 which will be described in more detail with reference to Figures 9a to 9c.

The open-profiled body 81 provides room for routing of power and data cables therethrough and one or more cable retainers 88 having resilient flexible legs 89 adapted to engage inner profile surfaces of the body 81 may be provided.

Within the arm element housing 85, the universal joint 90 comprises a pair of identical user- actuated buttons 91 acting against an intermediate spring 92 and retained within the housing 85 by annular stop surfaces 93 which abut retaining surfaces 94 defined around apertures 95 formed in the housing. Bearing collars 96 are disposed within the apertures to align the buttons 91 and to provide a stable and resilient rotational plane for the corresponding bearing surfaces 53’ of a heightadjustment element, bearing surfaces 83’ of a second arm or of a mounting head 100. As before the bearing collars 96 are ideally formed from a low-friction thermoplastics material such as PEEK.

To release the universal joint 90, a pinching action is applied to the buttons 91 simultaneously to compress the spring 92. When the top of the buttons 91 are aligned with the annular bearing surface of the collars 96, as illustrated in Figure 9b, the arm 80 (or other universal joint carrying element) may be withdrawn from the receiving arms 82 (or arms of another like modular element) as shown in Figure 9c.

An alternative support arm element 80a and universal joint 90a construction for linking a height- adjustment element 50, 50a to a display mounting head 100 or VESA mount 120, 130, 140 is shown in an assembled configuration in Figure 10a and an exploded detailed configuration in Figure 10b. The variant support arm element 80a comprises an elongate open-profiled body 81a having oppositely dog-legged ends to facilitate nesting of adjacent or joined components, as before. At one end of the support arm element thee is a first pair of outer receiver arms 82a, substantially identical to the receiver arms 52, 52a of the height- adjustment element 50, 50a, and, at the other end, a second pair of inner receiving arms 82b, so shaped and sized as to fit within the outer receiving arms 82a. Each of the arms 82a, 82b define an aperture 84a which, when the arms are brought into alignment, allow a pivot pin 91a to pass therebetween and pivotally retain the support arm elements (or the respective components being joined) to one another by a resilient plastics material clamp 97a. Each pin 91a has an annular groove 92a centrally disposed along its longitudinal axis for receiving a correspondingly curved retaining land 98a on the inner wall of the retaining clamp 97a so as to hold the pin 91a in position and form a simplified universal joint assembly.

The open-profiled body 81a provides room for routing of power and data cables therethrough and one or more cable retainers 88a having resilient flexible legs 89a adapted to engage inner profile surfaces of the body 81a may be provided.

It will be seen from the overall shape of the support arm elements of Figures 8a, 8b and Figures 10a, 10b that the adjacent arm elements are nestable when aligned so that extended arms comprising multiple arm elements may be retracted to sit compactly, for example, against the support post.

A display mounting head 100 having aperture bearing arms of identical proportions to the inner receiving arms 82b, allow for the use of the simplified universal joint therewith. The illustrated tilt and rotate mounting head 140 having an integrated VESA mount V will be described in more detail with reference to Figure 13.

Monitor arms are well-known to include a vertical tilt adjustment at the head, enabling a display device (screen) to be tilted up and down. Usually, this is done through the loosening of a fixing which frees a friction joint allowing the attached screen to pitch (tilt) downwardly under its own weight. This has several implications: the user must anticipate the sudden freeing of their screen and adjust their stance or position to match the weight of their screen; loosening and subsequent retightening of the fixing often requires a tool such as an Allen key which might not be readily available to a user; if incorrectly adjusted, the display device can drop over time under its own weight or the weight of multiple screens if a rail is being used; if incorrectly or inadequately secured, the display device can tilt if accidentally knocked or rocked; and display devices can be damaged if tilted or fall into the support arm or support surface and can cause damage if they impact another device or objects on the support surface or damage the surface itself.

The display mounting head 100, as shown in detail in Figures 1 la to 11g, comprises a first tiltable VESA interface portion 101 on which there is provided an interface mount I, pivotally lockable to a second portion 102 carrying a universal joint housing 90. The universal joint 90 includes the components heretofore described allowing the display device mounting head 100 to be attached to a support arm 80, 80’ or directly to a height adjustment element 50 and to be movable along a horizontal plane. The universal joint portion 102 includes a pivot axis pin 104 about which the first portion 101 is able to rotate upon release of a locking tilt mechanism which, in part, comprises a toothed articulate surface 107 integrally formed with the universal joint housing 90.

The first interface mount portion 101 includes a clamshell housing 110 having side faces 112 in which bearing inserts 114, 115 are disposed, each receiving an end of the pivotal axis pin 104. Slidingly disposed between the inserts 114, 115 is a locking block 117 which has a toothed surface 118 adapted to lockingly engage the corresponding teeth of the arcuate surface 107. The locking block 117 is mounted on a pin 119 and urged out of engagement with the arcuate surface by a user- activated push button 120 which is biased against a spring to retain the block 117 along the pin 119 into locking engagement with said surface 107. Stop surfaces fixed to the second portion housing 110 are provided either side of the locking block 117 to ensure it is stabilised on the pin 119 and to ensure a return spring (not shown) associated with the button 120 remains in compression.

The push-button released locking display mounting head 100 offers discrete mechanical locking positions with a user-friendly method of releasing and moving the mounted display. The system has the following benefits to the user: no tools required for adjustment, all pitch (tilt) control being given through the push-button release of the locking block and no components of the mounting head require adjustment throughout the product life; any load borne by the mounting head must be first be supported to allow the respective teeth of the locking block and arcuate surface to disengage before the push button 120 can be operated to move the locking block laterally and free the tilt adjustment; with discrete locking positions over 90 degrees (°) range of movement, users have precise positional control through the most commonly utilised screen positions when compared to existing mechanisms; screen adjustments have positive tactile locking feel; movement can be limited to 45° upwardly and 45° downwardly to offer full function for most all applications while restricting or mitigating movements which may damage the display; a familiar pinch action accessed by reaching over or under the screen will release the locking block; and interlocking of the block and arcuate surface teeth ensures that the screen cannot fall over time under its own weight. Referring now to Figures 12a and 12b, it is often a requirement that one of the degrees of freedom of movement is the rotation is of the display screen, allowing the screen to be rotated from landscape to portrait orientation (and any angle therebetween). Although this is a necessary point of adjustment to ensure that the monitor or display devices screen edge is parallel to the desk, it can often be too easy to accidentally move and, in existing competitor devices is difficult to lock. When a lock is available, and it is not available in all products, it requires tools such as an Allen key.

Accordingly, between the display mounting head mount interface I and the VESA mount V, two variants of display rotation lock 120, 130 are considered as interchangeable modular components of the present invention. Both display rotation locks are presented in the present Applicant’s earlier International Patent Application Publication No WO 2020/144660 and the description provided therein it is incorporated herein by reference.

In the first variant, the rotation lock comprises an interface receiver R on a stator body 122 which has bearing surfaces on the annulus thereof. A VESA mount V is held to the stator body 122 by a metal retaining plate engaging an annular mount ring on the VESA mount which is adapted to rotate with respect to the stator body. Rotation is prevented by the action of an annular locking ring 125 having internal bearing surfaces acting against the stator bearing surfaces. The locking ring 125 is provided with a push tab 126 to rotate the ring from a locked position, where cams on the internal periphery thereof engage corresponding bearing surfaces of the display rotation lock, to an unlocked position where the VESA mount V is allowed to rotate.

When the locking ring 125 is rotated to its locked position, it wedges the rotational friction bearings in the locking head 120 together and, through friction, prevents the bearing surfaces moving relative to one another. This prevents the rotation of the VESA mount and therefore the monitor without tools and with minimal effort.

The second variant of the display rotation lock 130 is constructed substantially similarly to the first variant, in that there is a mount interface receiver R on a stator body 132 and a locking ring is integrated into the mount ring of the VESA mount V and is tightened with respect to the stator body 132 by an over- lever cam mechanism 135 which, when in the locked position, frictionally engages the VESA mount ring to the stator body 132.

Thus, a locking ring that controls the rotational movement of the rotational head and wedges the relative moving components together to effectively lock the parts together facilitates the following advantages: no adjustment tools are required; allows users to apply various amounts of friction to the rotation to have it either loose, locked or somewhere in between; it requires minimal activation to move from loose to locked, making it quick and easy to adjust; and it has infinite adjustment, whereby it does not have to lock into discrete positions, so that the monitor can be rotated a fraction to account for a minor movement.

In an alternative construction, there is provided a display mounting head 140 in which both tilt (pitch) and rotational control have been combined. As illustrated in Figure 13, the mounting head comprises a first part on which there is provided a part of spaced apart arms 142 (identical in configuration to the inner receiving arms 82b of the variant support arm element 80a), so sized and shaped as to be received by the corresponding arms 52a, 82a of the height- adjustment element 50a and support arm element 80a, respectively. A pivot joint is ideally formed with arm apertures 144 using the pin 91a and clamp 97a arrangement described hereinabove and allows the display mounting head 140 to be movable along a horizontal plane. The skilled addressee will appreciate that the first part may instead carry a universal joint housing 90 having user activated buttons 91 adapted to engage the corresponding apertures 54, 84 on the first constructions of height-adjustment element 50 and support arm element 80, respectively. Interoperability of the variants is also provided.

The first part of the mounting head 140 further comprises a spherical head surface 145 which is restrictively retained within a correspondingly profiled receiver 146 of the second part of the mounting head. The second part has integrally formed therewith a VESA mount for direct coupling to a display device, thereby obviating the interface coupling of the earlier embodiments. Most advantageously, the restrictive retention of the receiver 146 is adjustable to carry the weight of the display device, allowing a user to manually adjust the pitch angle infinitely within the angle range allowed by the first part while also giving a full range of rotation, limited only by the associated power and data cables feeding the display device. Adjustment to the restrictive resistance to movement of the receiver 146 with respect to the spherical head 145 is facilitated by engaging the heads of bolts 147 using the hex (Allen) key K.

Figure 14 shows a representative kit of parts for self-assembly by a user. When ordered, a user will select whether wall mounting is required or if mounting to a stable surface, for example, a desk or table, noting whether edge engagement or cable through-hole clamping, is required. Where wall or vertical surface mounting is specified, the securing foot 20 and associated clamping elements are not needed and where through-hole clamping is required, the modified clamping element 23 ’ is selected over the edge clamping element 23. Additionally, bracket elements (not shown) having profile surfaces to engage the locking slot 45 of the support post 40 may be provided. A standard-length support post 40 is used for most single screen/display device and dual device applications, although a longer post 40’ (as illustrated in Figure 16) is available for display array applications. A pair of cable retainers 49 are provided for engaging the locking slot 45 of the selected post 40, 40’ and an end cap 70 for engaging the open end of the post and optionally for carrying a locking tool such as a hex (Allen) key is also provided in the kit of parts. A second end cap 70 is provided where no securing foot 20 is selected.

The user may select the number of height-adjustment elements 50 required, although the default will be a single element with an associated single support arm 80, however, second 80’ and subsequent 80” arm elements may be specified for creating an elongate articulated arm.

Although not illustrated, the support arm 80 may be selected from a number of different configurations where the body 81 between the housing 85 for the universal joint 90 and the receiver arms 82 is a straight section, incorporates a twist or includes cable channels. The preferred configuration as illustrated throughout is that the ends have oppositely directed ‘dog-legs’ so that nesting of arm elements is facilitated on a multi-element support arm.

A mounting head 100 is provided for each height adjusting member 50 selected, together with the corresponding number of VESA mount locking rings, such as the over-lever variant 130 shown in Figure 12b.

Thus, in its most basic iteration, the support arm 10 may comprise a support post 40 with securing component, a single height-adjustment element 50 and a mounting head 100, in which the mounting head 100 is attached directly to the height— adjustment element 50. A simplified dual-screen arrangement may be provided by positioning a second height-adjustment element and a mounting head along the central slot 42 to present an over-and-below configuration. An offset configuration may be presented by placing the respective height- adjustment elements in the sidefacing slots 41, 43.

Figure 15 shows a dual display device support in which two support arms each comprise a pair of support arm elements 80, 80’ secured at equal heights on a support post 40 by respective height-adjustment elements 50. At the free end of each second arm element 80’ is a tilting mount head 100 with mount interface I for attachment to a VESA mount (not shown). A securing foot 20 is fixed to the post 40 to facilitate clamping of the dual display device support arm to a stable surface.

With reference to Figure 16, a display device array support is shown with mounting heads 100 for up to six display devices. An elongate support poll 40’ has two height- adjustment elements 50 in each of the adjustment slots 41, 42, 43 set at an upper and lower array height. Each of the adjustment elements 50 in the central slot 42 is attached directly to a mounting head 100 via the buttons 91 of the universal joint 90 engaging the receiver arm apertures 53 of the element 50. Each of the height adjustment elements 50 engaging the corresponding ratchet tracks 46 of the lateral or side-facing slots 41, 43 are pivotally attached via the corresponding buttons 91 of the universal joints 90 disposed within the end housings 85 of respective first support arm elements 80. The first arm elements 80 each engage via their respective receiver arms 82 with universal joints 90 housed within the end of second support armed elements 80’ which in turn engage with tertiary support arm elements 80” to which mounting heads 100 are attached.

Finally, with reference to Figure 17, when a large number of display devices are presented in an array, it may be advantageous to spread the weight of the array over a larger securing component. A dual securing foot 20’ facilitates the positioning of adjacent support posts 40’ each of which may support multiple display devices on outwardly extending support arm elements 80, 80’. The support posts additionally may include at least one load-distributing tie 150 therebetween adapted to engage side-facing adjustment slots 41, 43 so as to balance the weight applied to the extending arms.

By presenting a kit of parts and means for ordering selected individual components, the invention provides significant modularity and a ready means for individual users to order essential components of a support arm to achieve a construction that meets their particular requirements without accumulating non-essential parts and facilitates adaptation of existing constructions to changing demands. The adaptations and modifications of standard modular components provides enhanced modularity and utility. In combination with the methods presented herein, the invention is eminently suitable for online ordering and delivery for home installation.

Similar kits of parts may be collated using the alternative variants of heightadjustment element 50a, support arm element 80a and display mounting head 140 utilising the alternative joint arrangement of pin 91a and clamp 97a.

In an unillustrated construction, an interface component having on one part a pivot receiver for engaging a pair of spaced-apart receiver arms and on another part a mounting post for coupling to a support arm element or display mounting head having a corresponding mounting post receiver, such as those presented in Applicant’s earlier International Patent Publication No WO 2020/144660, with specific reference to the support arm element incorporating a load indicator and the trigger-release display mounting head described therein and incorporated herein by reference.

It will of course be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific details described herein, which are given by way of example only, and that various modifications and alterations are possible within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A display device support arm of the type comprising: a support post adapted to secure the arm to a stable surface, the post having at least one profiled slot along its length; a height- adjustment element having locking means to operably engage the profiled slot on the support post; and a display mounting head having a first part including a pivot receiver of a bearing joint and a second part pivotally movable with respect to the first part and operably coupled to a display device mount or interface thereto, characterised in that the profiled slot has secured therein a toothed locking track; and in that the height- adjustment element incorporates a retractable element adapted to engage lockingly with the track to provide load-bearing support of a display device.

2. A display device support arm as claimed in Claim 1, in which the heightadjustment element includes a pair of spaced-apart receiver arms of the bearing joint each defining an aperture for pivotal engagement with the pivot receiver of said bearing joint.

3. A display device support arm as claimed in Claim 2, in which the bearing joint comprises bearing inserts locatable within the receiver arm apertures and pivot receiver, the receiver arms and pivot receiver being rotatably movable with respect to each other about a pivot pin.

4. A display device support arm as claimed in Claim 3, in which the pivot pin is profiled to receive a retaining clamp to secure the pin within the bearing joint.

5. A display device support arm as claimed in Claim 3, in which the pivot pin includes axially deflectable user-actuated buttons adapted to engage releasingly said receiver arm apertures.

6. A display device support arm as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the display mounting head defines a toothed arcuate surface on said first part with which a correspondingly toothed locking block mounted within the second part and adapted to be brought into and out of engagement with the arcuate surface to controllably alter the pitch (tilt) of the second part of the head and any display device mount and/or display device mounted thereon.

7. A display device support arm as claimed in Claim 6, in which the locking block is moved laterally into and out of engagement with the arcuate surface via a user-actuated button.

8. A display device support arm as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 5, in which the display mounting head defines a spherical head surface on said first part, the spherical surface being adapted lockingly to engage with a correspondingly profiled receiver of the second part to controllably alter the pitch (tilt) and rotation of the second part of the head and any display device mount and/or display device mounted thereon.

9. A display device support arm as claimed in Claim 8, in which the second part is integrally formed with a display mounting interface adapted to attach directly to a display device.

10. A display device support arm as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which a support arm element includes a pivot receiver of the bearing joint at one end and a pair of receiver arms of the bearing joint at the other end to facilitate pivotal attachment to a height-adjustment element, a display mounting head or a second support arm element.

11. A display device support arm as claimed in Claim 10, in which the or each support arm element includes a cable retainer for holding power and data cables proximate a body of the support arm element intermediate said ends.

12. A display device support arm as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the support post is attached or fixed to the stable surface by a securing component selected from a wall bracket, a table or workstation securing foot, a wheeled caddie or a ground-engaging plate.

13. A display device support arm as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the support post includes a plurality of elongate adjustment slots within each of which are disposed toothed locking tracks, to which a correspondingly toothed actuator retractably mounted within the height-adjustment element operably engages.

14. A display device support arm as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the support post comprises a substantially cylindrical extruded profile presenting at each end fixing apertures into which a securing component operably engages.

15. A display device support arm as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which a securing component for attaching the support post to a stable support surface comprises a securing foot having a base element, on which there is disposed an adjustment housing and within which is disposed a clamping bolt, and a clamping element which is drawn towards the underside of the base element to fix the foot to the stable surface, the clamping element being tightened and released by the rotation of the clamping bolt which has a lower threaded end operably engaging a correspondingly threaded aperture in the clamping element and a profiled upper end retained in the adjustment housing by a stop collar, the upper end thereof being axially slidingly received within a user-interaction knob which when rotated imparts axial movement to the clamping element.

16. A display device support arm as claimed in Claim 15, in which the knob is movable between a retracted position within the housing and a user-interaction position and in which the knob includes tool engagement means for tightening or releasing the clamping element.

17. A display device support arm as claimed in Claim 16, in which the adjustment housing defines a user-interaction knob cavity having a profiled track on its lower inner circumference, the cavity accommodating an annular cap which defines a second profiled track disposed adjacent the cavity track, the user knob being mounted on an annular collar which has radial projections for interacting with the tracks to provide push-release and retention of the knob between its interaction and retracted positions, respectively.

18. A display device support arm as claimed in any one of Claims 15 to 17, in which the support post slidingly receives a profiled retainer on the adjustment housing within the fixing slot thereof, said slot further being adapted to receive at least one cable retainer therein.

19. A display device support arm as claimed in any one of Claims 15 to 18, in which the securing foot is fixed to the support post by passing self-tapping screws through apertures formed in the base element of the foot to engage inwardly directed tabs in said fixing apertures of the post.

20. A display device support arm as claimed in any one of Claims 15 to 18, in which the securing foot is fixed to the support post by providing mounting posts in the apertures formed in the base element of the foot to engage said fixing apertures of the post.

21. A display device support arm as claimed in Claim 16, in which the mounting posts are integrally formed with the base element of the foot.

22. A display device support arm as claimed in any one of Claims 15 to 21, in which the underside of the base element and the clamping element are provided with a plurality of anti-slip pads where they engage the stable surface to aid grip thereto.

23. A display device support arm as claimed in any one of Claims 14 to 22, in which an end cap having grip elements adapted to fit the fixing apertures of the support post is provided to close the open profile end thereof.

24. A display device support arm as claimed in Claim 23, in which the end cap incorporates a tool holder for accommodating a securing tool within a central void of the support post profile.

25 A display device support arm as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the height-adjustment element comprises: a body housing said locking means; a ratchet actuator having a toothed surface biased to engage the locking track disposed within the profiled slot of the support post; and an actuation button which operationally retracts the ratchet actuator from locking engagement with the support post track, thereby releasing the height- adjustment element to move along the profiled slot.

26. A display device support arm as claimed in Claim 25, in which the ratchet actuator includes actuating arms on which there are provided bearing surfaces which engage corresponding bearing surfaces within the actuator button, which when operationally pushed into the body retracts the toothed surface on the actuator from corresponding teeth on the post track.

27. A display device support arm as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which includes at least one constant friction bearing joint comprising: bearing surface apertures defined within each of a pair of spaced-apart receiver arms; a pivot receiver locatable between said receiver arms; and bearing inserts mountable within said receiver arm apertures and said pivot receiver and adapted to align to define a pivot axis and receive a pivot pin on which the receiver arms and pivot receiver are rotatably mounted, whereby support arm elements and display mounting heads having one part or end thereof a pivot receiver are pivotally mountable on height-adjustment elements, having on one part, or support arm elements having on an opposite end thereof, receiver arms.

28. A display device support arm as claimed in Claim 27, in which the pivot pin is profiled to receive a retaining clamp to secure the pin within the bearing joint.

29. A display device support arm as claimed in Claim 27, in which the pivot receiver comprises a joint mechanism housing having a pair of outwardly projecting, identical, user-activation buttons defining the pivot axis and slidingly mounted within collar elements which form corresponding bearing surfaces for interaction with the bearing surfaces of the receiver arms when the housing is operationally accommodated for rotation between the arms and said buttons are engaged within the apertures thereof, thereby to provide a durable load-bearing, constant friction bearing joint which will not alter over the product lifetime.

30. A display device support arm as claimed in and one of Claims 27 to 29, in which the bearing surfaces and bearing inserts are formed as component inserts of low-friction thermoplastics material.

31. A display device support arm as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the display mounting head includes a mount interface adapted to engage a receiver formed within a rotational lock operably coupled to a display device mount whereby when disengaged the lock facilitates rotation of the display device mount and any display device mounted thereon.

32. A display device support arm as claimed in Claim 31, in which the display rotation lock additionally comprises an annular cam actuated locking mechanism having a substantially annular body on which there is provided a push tab to rotate the annulus from a locked position, where cams on the internal periphery thereof engage a corresponding surface of the display rotation lock, to an unlocked position where the display device mount is allowed to rotate.

33. A display device support arm as claimed in Claim 31, in which the display rotation lock additionally comprises an annular clamp having an over-lever actuated locking mechanism which in a locked position provides an inwardly directed radial force which acts on a peripheral surface of the display rotation lock and in an unlocked position allows the display device mount to rotate.

34. A method of adjusting the pitch angle (tilt) of a display device mounted on a display device support arm of the type claimed in Claim 1 , the method comprising: providing a tilt mechanism within a display mounting head adapted to secure a display device on a display device support arm, the mechanism having releasable locking means whereby one part of the mounting head is movable with respect to the other when the mechanism is released; operating a release means to disengage the locking means of the tilt mechanism; manually positioning a display device mount or device mounted thereon to the required pitch angle; and re-engaging the locking means to fix the pitch angle.

35. A method of adjusting the pitch angle (tilt) of a display device as claimed in Claim 34, in which the tilt mechanism includes an arcuate toothed surface and an axially disposed pivot on one part, and on the other part there is mounted for rotation about the pivot a display device mount and a toothed locking block adapted to move out of biased engagement with the arcuate surface to facilitate said rotational movement, whereby operating a push button disengages the locking block from the arcuate surface allowing the pitch angle to be adjusted and releasing the push button re-engages the locking block with the arcuate surface.

36. A method of adjusting the pitch angle (tilt) of a display device as claimed in Claim 35, in which the toothed arcuate surface is centrally axially disposed along the pivot and the toothed locking block is moved laterally into and out of engagement with the toothed arcuate surface.

37. A method of installing a plurality of display device support arms of the type claimed in Claim 1, the method including: selecting a stable surface on which to secure a support post; mounting a securing component to the stable surface; fixing the support post to the securing component; attaching a height- adjustment element to the support post; attaching via a rotary bearing joint a display mounting head to the heightadjustment element; noting a selected tilt angle; and repeating the above actions for each display device support arm of the installation, utilising the established tilt angles.

38. A kit of parts for a display device support arm of the type claimed in Claim 1, the kit of parts comprising at least: a support post; a securing component for attaching the support post to a stable surface; a height-adjustment element; and a display mounting head having a mount interface for attaching to a display device mount.

39. A kit of parts for a display device support arm as claimed in Claim 38 in which the kit of parts also includes at least one of: a support arm element; an end cap (optionally including a toolholder and tool); a locking ring having an interface receiver and display device mount; cable retainers for the support post; and cable retainers for the or each support arm element.

40. A kit of parts for a display device support arm as claimed in Claim 38 or Claim 39, in which the securing component comprises a securing foot as claimed in Claim 12 or in any one of Claims 15 to 22.

41. A kit of parts for a display device support arm as claimed in any one of Claims 38 to 40, in which the display device support arm is configured to support an array of display devices and includes: a dual support post engaging securing foot having at least one clamping element; a pair of elongate support posts; two or more height-adjustment elements; two or more support arm elements; and two or more display mounting heads, whereby the securing foot facilitates the positioning of adjacent support posts each of which operationally support multiple display devices on outwardly extending support arm elements, the support posts including at least one load-distributing tie therebetween slidingly engaged in facing adjustment slots so as to balance the weight applied to the extending arms.

42. A kit of parts for a display device support arm as claimed in any one of Claims 38 to 41, in which the display mounting head is selected from a mounting head having a toothed arcuate surface as claimed in Claim 6 or Claim 7 and a mounting head having a spherical head surface as claimed in Claim 8.

43. A kit of parts for a display device support arm as claimed in any one of Claims 38 to 42, in which an interface component having on one part a pivot receiver for engaging a pair of spaced-apart receiver arms and on another part a mounting post for coupling to a support arm element or display mounting head having a corresponding mounting post receiver.