Computer controlled display device

Details Computer controlled display device Computer controlled display device

2001-11-08

2004-11-16

Schuberg, Darren (Department: 2835)

Electricity: electrical systems and devices

Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical...

For electronic systems and devices

C361S689000, C361S689000, C248S183300

Reexamination Certificate

active

06819550

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The field of the invention relates to computers and data processing systems, and more particularly to support mechanisms for supporting display devices for computers or data processing systems.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The advent of flat panel display devices has revolutionized the architecture and aesthetic appearance of computers. Lightweight and versatile, flat panel display devices (FPDDs) may be mounted almost anywhere. A variety of mechanical support devices have been designed to hold FPDDs in suitable viewing positions.
Many FPDDs are supported by rigid assemblies or mechanisms which may be affixed to furniture, walls, or ceilings. Recently, semi-moveable support devices (e.g. swing arm devices) have made their debut. Such devices are typically hinged in one or more places, and their display ends may be equipped with swivel joints. Though offering a greater number of viewing positions, semi-moveable support devices often prove difficult to adjust, and routing data and power cables along exterior portions of the devices can mar aesthetic appearances.
In many semi-moveable support devices, two hands are required to adjust the display's viewing position. Typically, one hand supports the FPDD while the other manipulates a locking device on a hinged joint. Twist-and-lock swivel joints have a knob or handle which may be rotated in one direction to increase the holding friction, or in the opposite direction to decrease holding friction. Increasing the holding friction locks the support device in a desired position. Similarly, decreasing the holding friction allows the swivel joint to move freely through a predetermined range of movement.
Twist-and-lock swivel joints are effective, but awkward to use, and difficult to break free if overtightened. On the other hand, if undertightened, twist-and-lock swivel joints will allow a supported FPDD to sag and droop. Moreover, it is not uncommon for a semi-moveable support device to have a plurality of twist-and-lock swivel joints, which makes it virtually impossible for a single user to tighten or loosen all the joints simultaneously. With a plurality of swivel joints, adjustment times are considerably lengthened because the swivel joints must be adjusted individually.
A swivel ball joint (e.g. gimbal) affixed to the display end of the arm mechanism allows a supported FPDD to be tilted or angled as desired. Because the holding friction exerted by the swivel ball joint is more or less constant, the user force needed to tilt the FPDD sometimes dislodges the support arm mechanism from its fixed position. Set screws may be provided to adjust a swivel joint's applied holding friction. However, one shortcoming of swivel joints equipped with set screws is that movement of the joints often feels rough, gritty, or ratchety.
Referring now to
FIG. 1A
, there is shown a set of pictures illustrating exemplary environments in which support mechanisms for flat panel display devices (FPDDs) may be used. As shown in picture
110
, flat screen monitor arms are used in offices, schools, universities, government agencies, and other environments to provide adjustable support and correct length between the display and the viewer. As shown in picture
111
, additional mounting solutions may be provided to incorporate FPDDs into corporate environments such as banks, financial institutions, trade and brokerage companies, and similar businesses.
FIG. 1B
illustrates two further pictures illustrating additional environments in which FPDDs may be used. Picture
112
shows that FPDDs may be used in industrial areas such as manufacturing facilities, production lines, and assembly lines. Picture
113
represents the use of flat panel display devices in hospitals, health care facilities, and medical centers. In each case, the FPDD is attached to a moveable support device that is fixedly attached to a large, heavy object, such as the wall or floor of a building.
FIG. 1C
is a diagram of a prior art moveable support device
100
. Moveable support device
100
may be attached to a horizontal planar surface, such as a desktop, using clamp
106
, which adjusts to accommodate different thicknesses of various support surfaces. The base of moveable support device
100
includes a housing
105
, which is a removeable cosmetic covering that conceals a hollow screw mechanism used to affix clamp
106
to a support surface. The base of moveable support device
100
includes a cylindrical steel rod that removably slides within the hollow screw mechanism described above. In the embodiment shown, an arc of vertical movement measuring approximately 72.5 degrees may be provided by turn and lock swivel joint
103
. Similarly, a second arc of vertical movement measuring approximately 115.0 degrees may be provided by turn and lock swivel joint
107
.
Moveable support device
100
is made up of three arm members
101
,
102
, and
117
, connected to each other by two twist and lock swivel joints
107
and
103
. A ball swivel joint (e.g. gimbal)
108
attached to the display end of arm member
101
provides a supported FPDD
109
with an arc of movement, measuring in one dimension, approximately 78.0 degrees. The weight of the supported FPDD
109
is counterbalanced using an internal spring and pulley mechanism (not shown). Cables
120
and
121
, which provide power and data, respectively, to FPDD
109
, are attached to the exterior of moveable support device
100
using a plurality of retention guides
123
. The various components of moveable support device
100
are manufactured from various materials, including, but not limited to: metals, plastics, and composite materials.
FIG. 1D
is a diagram illustrating a prior art gooseneck lamp
118
. However, the inclusion of this lamp is not to be construed as an admission that lamps are analogous art to the present invention. Typically, components of lamp
118
include a weighted or magnetic base
116
, a hollow, moveable assembly portion
115
, and a bulb housing
114
. An electrical wire may run inside or outside the neck portion
115
. Typically, the weight of bulb housing
114
is negligible compared to the weight of the base
116
and of the neck portion
115
itself. Otherwise, neck portion
115
would droop, or lamp
118
would topple over.
In most cases, neck portion
115
is manufactured of a jointed, spiral-cut metal skin that is easily flexed into one of a number of desired positions. A plurality of plastic or metal ball-and-socket assemblies may be used to form neck portion
115
. Where ball-and-socket assemblies are used, the holding force may be provided by a tension cable running through the ball-and-socket assemblies that loops about a cam attached to a twist-lever disposed on or near the base
116
. Twisting the twist-lever in one direction stretches the cable and stiffens neck portion
115
. Twisting the twist-lever in the opposite direction relaxes the cable, thereby dissolving the holding force, and allowing the neck portion
115
to collapse.
The ball-and-socket assemblies may be formed of either metal or plastic, but metal is typically used because it is stronger and more durable than plastic. A problem with prior art ball-and-socket assemblies is that the friction provided by a metal ball mating with a metal socket will not sustain heavy loads. While capable of supporting a lightbulb or other small lightweight object, prior art ball-and-socket assemblies are simply incapable of supporting large heavy objects, such as FPDDs, which typically weigh in excess of two pounds.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a computer controlled display device. In one embodiment, the display device includes a flat panel display having an input for receiving display data. Additionally, a moveable assembly may be coupled to the display. The moveable assembly may provide at least three degrees of freedom of movement for the flat panel display device. Additionally, the moveable assembly may have a cross-sectional area, which is substantially less than a cross-sectional area of a display stru

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Computer controlled display device does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Computer controlled display device, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Computer controlled display device will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3291768