Patent Application
20060202091
The present invention relates to a stand for mounting a peripheral device and, more particularly, to a pole stand for elevating and supporting a flat-screen peripheral device, such as a computer monitor or television.
Adjustable stands for use with electronic or other equipment are known in the prior art. Such stands are useful when it is required to elevate a device off a floor, desk or other surface, in order that the device meets eye-level or some other desired height. Stands also serve to hold cumbersome objects that are not designed to be placed directly on a surface due to ventilation requirements or other concerns.
In conjunction with stands, it is known in the art to also provide mechanical extension arms and/or tilters in order to position the supported equipment. Typically, an extension arm is attached to the stand and may then be attached to, among other things, a computer monitor. The arm enables the user to linearly position the device along one or more axis. Such extensions are shown and described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,726,167 and 6,854,698, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.
In order that the device may be positioned with even greater precision, a tilter or mounting structure is typically employed that allows the device to be rotated about one or more axis. The tilter or mounting structure may be attached to the extension arm previously discussed or attached directly to the stand. Once such tilter is shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,505,988, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.
Prior art adjustable stands generally include a connecting element such as a clamp or ring which enables an adjustable arm to be affixed to a support pole. The connecting element or clamp includes a set-screw, which may be tightened against the pole so that the clamp is securely affixed to the pole. The set-screw may either engage an exterior surface of the pole or may be partially driven into a recess or indent of the pole. Unfortunately, this design has a disadvantage that after successive uses and reconfiguration of the support assembly, the support pole may be damaged, scratched or contain blemishes caused by the interaction of the set-screw against the exterior surface of the pole.
It can also be difficult to properly line up the set-screw with the recess to ensure a secure connection. Additionally, the loosening and tightening of the set screw can cause the set screw to become displaced from the clamp and subsequently lost, or can cause the threads on the set-screw to be stripped, resulting on a loose connection.
Thus, there is a need for a pole stand device that is suitable for supporting an electronic peripheral device, such as a flat screen computer monitor or television, that can accommodate various extension arms and tilters, that are easily assembled, and even after multiple uses does not mar the exterior surface of the pole.
The present invention is directed to an adjustable support apparatus having a pole with a plurality of first elements exposed at an exterior surface of the pole. The pole further includes a longitudinal axis. The apparatus also includes a clamping member having a top surface, an outer surface and an inner surface having a second element. The second element cooperates with one of the plurality of first elements such that the clamping member is at least loosely affixed to the pole with the inner surface of the clamping member being juxtaposed to the exterior surface of the pole.
The apparatus further includes a collar having an inner surface, a top surface, a bottom surface and an aperture extending from said top surface to said bottom surface. The inner surface of the collar preferably includes an inwardly-projecting ridge. The aperture of the collar is adapted for receiving the pole therein such that the collar is translatable about the longitudinal axis of the pole. The collar is preferably positioned about the clamping member so that the aperture of the collar receives the clamping member therein and the inwardly-projecting ridge abuts the top surface of the clamping member, thereby retaining the collar on the clamping member in at least one direction.
In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the clamping member is C-shaped and includes a first end and a second end remote from each other. The clamping member preferably has a cavity defined by the inner surface of the clamping member, wherein the pole is received within the cavity of the clamping member. The clamping member is preferably flexible such that a distance between the first end of the second end may be increased or decreased. The top surface of the clamping member preferably includes a chamfered edge.
The inner surface of the collar is preferably circular and in one embodiment, the inwardly-projecting ridge extends entirely around the inner surface of the collar.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the outer surface of the clamping member has a first diameter when in an at-rest position and the inner surface of the collar has a second diameter. The second diameter is less than the first diameter such that when the aperture of the collar receives the clamping member therein, the collar exerts an inwardly-directed force against the clamping member which subsequently causes the clamping member to abut the pole.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the first elements may be an indent and the second element may be a protrusion. In one embodiment of the present invention, the indents are aligned in a straight line along the exterior of the pole. Additionally, the indents and protrusion may have similar corresponding shapes and may be circular.
The apparatus may also include an adjustable arm connectable to the pole at a first end thereof. Additionally, the apparatus may also include a mounting stand connected to the pole at a second end thereof.
In another aspect of the present invention, the adjustable support apparatus may include an engagement means positioned between the pole and the collar for affixing the collar to the pole. Additionally, in an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the collar means may be provided securable to the pole. Additionally, an engagement means is positioned between the pole and the collar means for affixing the collar means to the pole. At least a portion of the engagement means is received within a receiving means of the pole.
In a method of assembling an adjustable support apparatus according to the present invention, a pole is placed in an upright position. Next a clamping member is placed in a position about the pole with the clamping member having a second element thereon while the pole has a first element exposed thereon. The clamping member may be translated along the longitudinal axis of the pole until reaching the desired position. The clamping member is then affixed to the pole at the desired position by engaging the second element of the clamping member with one of the plurality of first elements of the pole. A collar is then placed about the clamping member. The collar being affixed to the clamping member in at least one direction. Additionally, the collar may provide an inwardly-directed radial pressure against the clamping member, thereby causing the clamping member to abut the exterior surface of the pole.
In the drawings in which relatively like characters denote similar elements throughout the several views:
a is a perspective view of the clamping element of
b is a top view of the clamping element of
a is a top perspective view of the collar of
b is a bottom perspective view of the collar of
The present invention relates to an adjustable support apparatus suitable for mounting various components such as flat-screen electronic devices, such as computer monitors, televisions and the like, and a method of mounting the same.
As shown in
As shown in
In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of indents 20 is exposed at an exterior surface 22 of pole 10. For ease and efficiency of manufacturing, a straight-line arrangement is preferred as shown in
Indents 20 may be dimples or recesses exposed about exterior surface 22. In an alternate embodiment, indents 20 may actually be apertures extending to a center or hollow chamber of pole 10. Indents 20 may also extend entirely through pole 10 so that openings of indents 20 are exposed at both sides of the pole. Indents 20 are preferable circular although this is not required. Pole 10 is preferably constructed from a metal such as steel, aluminum or the like.
As shown in
Clamping element 12 may also include a chamfered edge 40 positioned adjacent and between top surface 34 and inner surface 30, the purpose of which will be described below.
Clamping element 12 preferably further includes a protrusion 52 extending radially inwardly from inner spherical surface 30. Protrusion 52 preferably includes cylindrical sidewall 54 in communication with inner surface 30 and cap 56. Cap 56 is adjacent to cylindrical sidewall 54 and remote from inner surface 30. Cap 56 is preferably circular. More preferably, cap 56 has substantially the same geometry as an indent 20.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, cylindrical sidewall 54 may include a decline or chamfered edge 58 remote from inner surface 30 and adjacent to cap 56.
In a preferred embodiment, as described below, cylindrical sidewall 54 preferably has a radius substantially the same or slightly less than a radius of indents 20. Chamfered edge 58 enables cap 56 and thus a first end of protrusion 52, to have a smaller diameter than cylindrical sidewall 54.
As illustrated in
As shown in
Extending downwardly and adjacent to shoulder 72 is circumferential wall 74. Circumferential wall 74 preferably extends to and is adjacent with bottom surface 62 as well as shoulder 72.
In one method of assembly, as shown in
Preferably, clamping element 12 is loosely secured to pole 10 in such a manner that the clamping element may be translated along exterior surface 22 of pole 10 along the direction of longitudinal axis 28. Clamping element 12 preferably translated about pole 10 until a desired position or height is obtained. In order to affix clamping element 12 to pole 10, protrusion 52 of the clamping element is received within one of the indents 20 of the pole. Clamping element 12, or more specifically protrusion 52, is received within an indent 20, which best corresponds to the desired positioning of the clamping element. Since chamfered edge 58 is located adjacent cap 56 of protrusion 52, and the cap desirably has a diameter at least slightly less than indent 20, the protrusion is easily received within the indent. As previously mentioned, since cylindrical sidewall 54 has a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of indent 20, the friction between the two elements retains the protrusion within the indent.
With clamping element 12 correctly in place, proximal end 24 of pole 10 is received within aperture 64 of collar 14. Of course, collar 14 may be placed about pole 10 prior to clamping element 12 engaging the pole. Collar 14 is than translated along longitudinal axis 28 in a direction of arrow A, as shown in
In a preferred embodiment, circumferential wall 74 of collar 14 has a radius that is slightly smaller than a radius of outer surface 32 of clamping element 12, at least when the clamping element is in its at rest position. Thus, when collar 14 is placed over clamping element 12, the collar squeezes the clamping element 12, such that the clamping element tightly grips pole 10.
As shown in
Also as shown in
In an alternate embodiment, a clamp or other fixation element that enables the adjustable support apparatus 1 to be secured to a fixture, such as a desk or even a wall, may replace mounting stand 92.
The adjustable arm assembly as described herein enables a person to mount a monitor or other device at a desired height for optimum work and enjoyment conditions.
If placement of the flat panel monitor 90 needs to be adjusted, the adjustable arm assembly may simply be disassembled and re-assembled with clamping element 12 moved to a more desired position relative to pole 10. Since, clamping element 12 is only loosely secured to pole 10, prior to collar 14 squeezing it about the pole, the clamping element may be translated along longitudinal axis 28 of the pole without inflicting scratches and unsightly damage to the pole.
With regard to the present disclosure, terms such as “downwardly” or “upwardly” are used to describe directions that are opposed to each other without regard to any gravitational frame of reference. Similarly, terms such as “top” and “bottom” “over” and “under,” or “above” and “below” are used to describe the relative position to elements or assemblies within the frame of reference of the assembly itself.
For instance, in an alternate embodiment as shown in
In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, a shown in
Once clamping element 12 is in position, as before, collar 14 may be placed about the clamping element.
In yet another alternate embodiment, although not shown in the figures, pole 10 may include at least two adjacent rows of indents 20 exposed on the exterior surface 22 of the pole. Similarly, clamping element 12 may be provided with two protrusions projecting inwardly from inner surface 30. The distance between the two protrusions 52 is equivalent to the distance between adjacent rows of indents 20 such that when the clamping element is juxtaposed against the pole; both protrusions may be received within adjacent indents.
In an alternate embodiment, although not shown in the figures, indents 20 on pole 10 may be replaced with a plurality of protrusions, and protrusion 52 of clamping element 12 may be replaced with an indent or aperture. Thus, the clamping element may engage the pole, with a portion of the pole i.e., a protrusion, being received within the clamping element i.e., as contrasted with embodiments earlier described.
Therefore, since clamping element 12 is only loosely attached to pole 10, prior to collar 14 being positioned about the clamping element, the clamping element may be translated along longitudinal axis 28 of the pole without damaging or scarring the pole. Additionally, by eliminating the need of a set-screw to connect collar 14 to pole 10, the chore of having to try and align the set-screw with an indent of a pole, while translating the set-screw into contact with the pole is eliminated. This greatly reduces the “fiddle factor” of assembling the support apparatus.
Although the present invention herein has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present invention. It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.
