US20070001076A1 - Support arm and method with variable counterbalance - Google Patents
Support arm and method with variable counterbalance Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20070001076A1 US20070001076A1 US11/170,778 US17077805A US2007001076A1 US 20070001076 A1 US20070001076 A1 US 20070001076A1 US 17077805 A US17077805 A US 17077805A US 2007001076 A1 US2007001076 A1 US 2007001076A1
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- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- arm
- support arm
- flexible element
- segment
- biasing device
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16M—FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS
- F16M11/00—Stands or trestles as supports for apparatus or articles placed thereon Stands for scientific apparatus such as gravitational force meters
- F16M11/42—Stands or trestles as supports for apparatus or articles placed thereon Stands for scientific apparatus such as gravitational force meters with arrangement for propelling the support stands on wheels
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16M—FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS
- F16M11/00—Stands or trestles as supports for apparatus or articles placed thereon Stands for scientific apparatus such as gravitational force meters
- F16M11/02—Heads
- F16M11/04—Means for attachment of apparatus; Means allowing adjustment of the apparatus relatively to the stand
- F16M11/06—Means for attachment of apparatus; Means allowing adjustment of the apparatus relatively to the stand allowing pivoting
- F16M11/10—Means for attachment of apparatus; Means allowing adjustment of the apparatus relatively to the stand allowing pivoting around a horizontal axis
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16M—FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS
- F16M11/00—Stands or trestles as supports for apparatus or articles placed thereon Stands for scientific apparatus such as gravitational force meters
- F16M11/20—Undercarriages with or without wheels
- F16M11/2007—Undercarriages with or without wheels comprising means allowing pivoting adjustment
- F16M11/2014—Undercarriages with or without wheels comprising means allowing pivoting adjustment around a vertical axis
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16M—FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS
- F16M11/00—Stands or trestles as supports for apparatus or articles placed thereon Stands for scientific apparatus such as gravitational force meters
- F16M11/20—Undercarriages with or without wheels
- F16M11/2092—Undercarriages with or without wheels comprising means allowing depth adjustment, i.e. forward-backward translation of the head relatively to the undercarriage
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16M—FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS
- F16M11/00—Stands or trestles as supports for apparatus or articles placed thereon Stands for scientific apparatus such as gravitational force meters
- F16M11/20—Undercarriages with or without wheels
- F16M11/24—Undercarriages with or without wheels changeable in height or length of legs, also for transport only, e.g. by means of tubes screwed into each other
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16M—FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS
- F16M2200/00—Details of stands or supports
- F16M2200/04—Balancing means
- F16M2200/044—Balancing means for balancing rotational movement of the undercarriage
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16M—FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS
- F16M2200/00—Details of stands or supports
- F16M2200/06—Arms
- F16M2200/063—Parallelogram arms
Definitions
- This application relates to devices and methods for moveably supporting equipment. Specifically, but not by way of limitation, this application relates to devices and methods for supporting display screens such as flat panel display screens for use with personal computers.
- flat panel display screens e.g., LCD screens, plasma screens and the like
- LCD screens LCD screens, plasma screens and the like
- an elevation joint is used as an example.
- An elevation adjustment is useful to provide flexibility for users of different heights.
- One common elevation adjustment includes an arm configuration with a joint between two arm portions. A user can move a distal arm portion along an arc by rotating the distal arm in relation to a base arm portion about an elevation joint.
- Unwanted motion can be caused by the elevation joint being too loose, with the equipment moving under its own weight. Additionally, sometimes the mechanism of the arm overcompensates or undercompensates for the weight of the display screen and/or the arm, and the arm undesirably moves out of the desired position on its own. Unwanted motion can also be caused by inadvertent bumping of the arm or supported equipment. Further, if the elevation joint moves an excessive amount, the supported equipment, such as the flat panel display, may become damaged by hitting a surface such as a desktop.
- What is needed is a support arm that provides adjustability and retains the display screen in a desired orientation.
- FIG. 1 shows one example of a support arm supporting a display screen.
- FIG. 2 shows one example of a support arm with a chassis.
- FIG. 3 shows one example of a support arm in a first position.
- FIG. 4 shows another example of the support arm in a second position.
- FIG. 5 shows a free body diagram and static equations of one example of a support arm.
- FIG. 6 shows a graph displaying one example of the moments of the support arm shown in FIG. 5 relative to the moments created by the support arm weight over a range of support arm angles.
- FIG. 7 shows a graph displaying one example of the moments of a prior art gas spring support arm relative to the moments created by the support arm weight over a range of support arm angles.
- FIG. 8 shows one example of a support arm in a first position.
- FIG. 9 shows another example of the support arm in an intermediate position.
- FIG. 10 shows yet another example of the support arm in a second position.
- FIG. 11 shows a graph displaying the arm angle against the angle of the cable ⁇ .
- FIG. 12 shows a block diagram for one example of a method for making a support arm.
- FIG. 1 shows a support arm 100 and a display screen 102 coupled to the support arm 100 .
- the display screen 102 is a flat panel display, for instance, a plasma television, LCD display, or the like.
- the display screen 102 is a CRT display, LCD projection display or the like.
- the support arm 100 is optionally mounted to a surface, such as a wall, floor, ceiling and the like.
- the support arm 100 is mounted to a chassis, for instance, a wheeled chassis, such as the chassis 200 shown in FIG. 2 , described below.
- the support arm 100 is positionable so the display screen 102 coupled at the distal end 104 of the support arm 100 is similarly positionable.
- the display screen 102 is positionable vertically through movement of the support arm 100 .
- the display screen 102 is positionable horizontally through rotation of the support arm 100 around a pole, bar, wall and the like.
- the distal end 104 of the support arm 100 includes a distal component mount 106 sized and shaped to couple with the display screen 102 .
- the distal component mount 106 includes, in another example, a lug 108 sized and shaped to movably couple with the display screen 102 .
- the lug 108 couples with a corresponding display lug 110 of the display screen 102 to facilitate rotational movement of the display screen 102 around the distal end 104 .
- the display lug 110 rotates relative to the lug 108 of the mount 106 , optionally.
- the display screen 102 is thereby further positionable so the screen 102 points upward and/or downward relative to a horizontal axis 112 .
- the display screen 102 includes features to mount directly to the support arm 100 so the display screen 102 includes the distal component mount 106 .
- FIG. 2 shows the support arm 100 coupled with the chassis 200 .
- the chassis 200 includes a housing 202 .
- the housing 202 as shown in the example in FIG. 2 , is formed with bars and/or plates assembled to provide a first shelf 204 for an input device, such as, a keyboard, mouse, light pen, and the like.
- the housing 202 provides a second shelf 208 for a processor.
- the housing includes additional shelves and storage devices, for instance, document shelf 206 .
- the housing 202 includes a mount 210 sized and shaped to couple with the support arm 100 .
- the support arm 100 extends from at least a portion of the housing 202 and is proximate to the first shelf 204 , optionally.
- the display screen 102 is thereby proximate to a keyboard or other input device and allows for operation of the input device and viewing of the display screen 102 at the same time.
- the support arm 100 is remote from the first shelf 204 to allow remote viewing of the display screen (e.g., while pointed in a different direction for the benefit of a second viewer).
- the display screen 102 , input devices and a processor are in communication with each other, in still another example.
- the housing 202 rides on casters 212 sized and shaped to facilitate movement of the chassis 200 .
- the casters 212 permit movement of the display screen 102 into a variety of locations and the support arm 100 facilitates stable positioning of the display screen 102 into a variety of orientations for ease of viewing during use.
- FIG. 3 shows the support arm 100 in a first position.
- the support arm 100 in one example, includes a four bar linkage 300 including arms, such as members 302 A, B.
- the members 302 A, B are moveably coupled between the distal component mount 106 and a proximal mount 304 .
- the member 302 A is moveably coupled to the proximal mount 304 at a pivot joint 307 .
- the proximal mount 304 is sized and shaped to facilitate coupling with, for instance, walls, ceilings, floors, poles, chassis (e.g., chassis 200 ) and the like.
- the members 302 A, B are offset from each other and moveably coupled to the distal component mount 106 and the proximal mount 304 .
- the four bar linkage 300 thereby permits movement of the support arm 100 between at least the positions shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 .
- the support arm 100 moves between angles of at least around 90 to ⁇ 90 degrees.
- the members 302 A, B are coupled with the distal component mount 106 and the proximal mount 304 with fasteners such as pins, screws, rivets, and the like that permit rotation of the members at the mounts 106 , 304 .
- the members 302 A, B are parallel to each other throughout movement of the support arm 100 .
- a biasing device 306 in one example, is coupled to the member 302 B.
- the biasing device 306 provides a restoring force that increases with increased displacement of the device 306 (e.g., compression and/or extension).
- the biasing device 306 includes, but is not limited to, compression springs, tension springs, elastomeric materials and the like.
- the biasing device 306 is constructed with a material, such as steel, an elastomer and the like, that provides restoring force to retain the support arm 100 in a desired orientation.
- the biasing device 306 includes springs and/or elastomeric material in combinations (e.g., in series, parallel, tension and compression springs together, and the like). As shown in FIGS.
- the biasing device 306 is optionally coupled at a first end 308 to the member 302 B.
- the biasing device 306 is coupled to the member 302 B with, but not limited to, fasteners such as pins, welds, lugs and the like.
- the first end 308 of the biasing device 306 is moveably coupled along the member 302 B.
- the biasing device 306 is coupled to the member 302 B with bolts, screws, detents and the like that allow adjustment of the first end 308 location along the member 302 B. Positioning of the biasing member 306 thereby tunes the member 306 to provide a desired amount of pretensioning to the support arm 100 .
- a second end 310 of the biasing device 306 is moveably coupled to a first pulley 312 to permit rotation of the pulley 312 relative to the biasing device 306 .
- the first pulley 312 forms a linkage that supports a flexible element, described below.
- a flexible element 314 extends between the members 302 A, B.
- the flexible element 314 is coupled to the member 302 B distal to the proximal mount 304 .
- the flexible element 314 is coupled to the member 302 A proximate to the distal component mount 106 .
- the first pulley 312 is in rolling communication with the flexible element 314 . Movement of the support arm 100 including the members 302 A, B correspondingly moves the flexible element 314 over the first pulley 312 and pushes or pulls the first pulley 312 coupled to the biasing device 306 .
- Movement of the flexible element 314 during rotation of the support arm 100 thereby increases or decreases the restoring force provided by the biasing device 306 by pulling or pushing on the first pulley 312 coupled thereto.
- the flexible element 314 is coupled along the members 302 A, B so the restoring force applied by the biasing device 306 to the support arm 100 increases as the moment of the support arm 100 increases, for instance while the support arm 100 is in a substantially horizontal position (i.e., between the first and second position in FIGS. 3 and 4 , respectively).
- a component of the restoring force created by the biasing device 306 provides a moment that counterbalances the moment of the display screen 102 ( FIG. 1 ) and the support arm 100 and maintains the display screen 102 and the support arm 100 in a desired orientation, as further described below.
- a second pulley 316 is moveably coupled to the member 302 B, in one example.
- the second pulley 316 is rotatably coupled to the member 302 B and carried on a bearing, such as a circular pin.
- the second pulley 316 as part of the linkage optionally including the first pulley 312 , provides a mechanical advantage to movement of the flexible element 314 and the biasing device 306 .
- the second pulley 316 allows the flexible element 314 to experience double the displacement relative to the displacement of the biasing device 306 .
- the linkage includes, cams, levers and the like, adapted to assist in maintaining the support arm 100 in a desired orientation.
- the angle ⁇ extends between member 302 A and a segment 315 of the flexible element 314 .
- the flexible element segment 315 extends between an arm end location 318 on the member 302 A and a linkage end location 319 where the flexible element 314 movably couples with the second pulley 316 .
- the linkage end location 319 is optionally at a tangent to the circumference of the second pulley 316 where the segment 315 meets the pulley 316 .
- the linkage end location 319 will change as the tangent changes along the second pulley 316 .
- the arm end location 318 is static along the member 302 A.
- the angle ⁇ changes with rotation of the support arm 100 because the arm end location 318 moves relative to the second pulley 316 (See FIGS. 3 and 4 ) and the linkage end location 319 changes.
- the segment 315 of the flexible element 306 between the arm end location 318 and the second pulley 316 thereby changes length during rotation of the support arm 100 .
- the component of the restoring force applied to the support arm 100 to create a counter balancing moment changes during rotation of the arm 100 according to the angle ⁇ .
- the arm end location 318 and the placement of the second pulley 316 along the member 302 B are chosen so the angle ⁇ changes in a predetermined manner.
- the angle ⁇ changes in the predetermined manner to ensure the biasing device 306 provides a restoring force and corresponding moment that closely counterbalances the moment of the arm 100 and/or the display screen 102 ( FIG. 1 ) during rotation of the arm 100 .
- the biasing device 306 and the flexible element 314 substantially counterbalance the moment of the support arm 100 and/or the display screen 102 ( FIG. 1 ) throughout the range of motion of the arm 100 .
- the support arm 100 e.g., the arm end location 318 and the linkage end location 319 are chosen so the angle ⁇ changes at different rates during rotation of the arm 100 .
- the rate of change of the angle ⁇ increases at least after the arm 100 passes a substantially horizontal position between the first and second positions ( FIGS. 3 and 4 ) and moves into orientations such as that shown in FIG. 3 (i.e., where the arm 100 is angled below horizontal).
- the angle ⁇ decreases at an increased rate to attenuate the increased restoring force of the biasing device 306 as the arm 100 is rotated.
- the biasing device 306 experiences increased displacement during rotation of the arm and the device 306 correspondingly produces greater restoring forces.
- the angle ⁇ decreases at a greater rate to attenuate the corresponding moment due to the greater restoring force.
- the decreasing moment of the arm 100 and/or the display screen 102 ( FIG. 1 ) coupled thereto in orientations such as shown in FIG. 3 is matched by the attenuated moment created by the displaced biasing device 306 and the angle ⁇ that decreases at a faster rate.
- the segment 315 of the flexible element 314 is coupled to the member 302 A with a stop 320 sized and shaped to engage with the member 302 A and substantially prevent movement of the segment 315 at the arm end location 318 .
- the flexible element 314 is threaded through the member 302 A with the stop 320 coupled to the element 314 .
- the stop 320 has a larger profile than the element 314 and engages with the member 302 A to couple the flexible element 314 to the member 302 A.
- the stop 320 includes, but is not limited to, a piece of plastic, metal and the like formed around the flexible element 314 .
- the stop 320 includes a swaged portion of the flexible element 314 that presents a larger profile than the flexible element 314 .
- the stop 320 is positionable along the member 302 A while the support arm 100 is not being rotated.
- the stop 320 is positioned, for instance, within detents, grooves, spaced sockets and the like to selectively position an end of the segment 315 at varying arm end locations 318 .
- the position of the arm end location 318 relative to the second pulley 316 correspondingly changes the length of the segment 315 .
- the position of the arm end location 318 relative to the second pulley determines how the angle ⁇ changes in the predetermined manner to alter the restoring force of the support arm 100 during rotation.
- Movement of the arm end location 318 toward the proximal mount 304 correspondingly increases the angle ⁇ throughout the travel of the support arm 100 .
- the component of the restoring force of the biasing device 306 used to counterbalance the moment of the support arm 100 and/or the display screen 102 increases, as described below.
- movement of the arm end location 318 toward the distal mount 106 increases the moment created by the restoring force because the moment arm 322 is correspondingly increased (also described below).
- the arm end location 318 is chosen to optimize the component of the restoring force and the moment arm 322 that provide the moment to counterbalance the moment of the support arm 100 and/or the display screen 102 .
- FIG. 5 shows one example of a support arm free body diagram including representations of the members 302 A, B, the distal mount 106 and the proximal mount 304 .
- the biasing device includes a compression spring 500 in the example shown.
- the compression spring 500 provides an F sp and pulls on the flexible element 314 to put the element 314 in tension as shown with F cable .
- the segment 315 of the flexible element 314 extends between the linkage end location 319 at the second pulley 316 and the arm end location 318 .
- F cable is applied to the member 302 A at the arm end location 318 .
- a component of F cable and the moment arm 1 m e.g., moment arm 322 in FIGS.
- the moment M sp provides the moment M sp around pivot joint 502 between the proximal mount 304 and the member 302 A.
- the moment of the weight M W is provided by the weight W including the weight of the support arm 100 and/or the weight of the display screen 102 ( FIG. 1 ).
- the M sp acts to counterbalance the M W of the support arm 100 and/or the display screen 102 .
- the arm end location 318 where the flexible element 314 couples with the member 302 A, is chosen to optimize the moment arm 1 m and the angle ⁇ and thereby provide a M sp that closely counterbalances the M W throughout rotation of the support arm 100 .
- the angle ⁇ determines the component of the F cable used in providing the M ps as shown in FIG. 5 .
- the arm end location 318 is chosen so the angle ⁇ changes in a predetermined manner to ensure the component of the F cable and the moment arm 1 m provide sufficient M sp to counterbalance the M W substantially throughout rotation of the support arm 100 .
- the linkage end location 319 and the arm end location 318 are chosen so the angle ⁇ changes in a predetermined manner.
- the support arm 100 is sized and shaped so the angle ⁇ changes at a faster rate during rotation of the arm 100 through a particular angle (e.g., where the arm moves from the horizontal to negative angles as shown in FIG. 3 ).
- a particular angle e.g., where the arm moves from the horizontal to negative angles as shown in FIG. 3 .
- increased restoring forces from the biasing device 306 are attenuated to ensure the arm 100 maintains the display screen in a desired orientation, as described below.
- a first arm end location 318 is chosen so M sp counterbalances the support arm 100 and a display screen 102 ( FIG. 1 ) that has a particular weight and depth (e.g., is shallow or deep and thereby decreases or increases the moment arm of the M W ).
- the first arm end location 318 is adjusted so M sp counterbalances the support arm 100 and a display screen 102 with a different weight and/or depth.
- FIG. 6 shows a graph 600 comparing one example of the M sp generated with a support arm, such as support arm 100 ( FIG. 1 ), along with the corresponding M W provided by the support arm 100 and/or the display screen 102 ( FIG. 1 ) during rotation of the arm 100 .
- the curve of the M sp closely approximates the curve of the M W thereby showing the M sp closely counterbalances the M W .
- the support arm 100 maintains the display screen 102 in a desired orientation.
- FIG. 7 shows a graph comparing a prior art support arm with the M W of the prior art support arm and/or a display screen.
- the prior art support arm M sp curve shows that the M sp is consistently greater than the M W .
- the prior art support arm thereby overcompensates for the M W of the support arm and/or the display.
- the prior art support arm may undesirably move the display screen from a desired orientation because the prior art arm does not ensure the close counterbalancing provided with the support arm 100 ( FIG. 6 ).
- the support arm 100 is rotated around the proximal mount 304 .
- the member 302 A rotates around the pivot joint 307 and the member 302 B similarly rotates with member 302 A around an offset joint 309 .
- Rotation of the support arm 100 from the position shown in FIG. 3 to the position shown in FIG. 4 moves the arm end location of the segment 315 closer to the linkage end location 319 .
- the flexible element 314 correspondingly moves over the second pulley 316 and allows the biasing device 306 to relax, as shown in FIG. 4 .
- the biasing device 306 relaxes it progressively applies less restoring force to the support arm 100 .
- the angle ⁇ changes during rotation of the support arm 100 .
- the angle ⁇ changes in a predetermined manner and the component of the restoring force used to provide the counterbalancing moment (e.g., M sp ) to the moment of the support arm 100 and/or the display screen 102 (e.g., M W ) correspondingly changes.
- the counterbalancing moment changes during rotation of the support arm 100 to closely counterbalance the support arm 100 and/or the display screen 102 ( FIG. 1 ). As a result, the support arm 100 maintains a desired orientation of the display screen 102 , throughout the range of motion of the arm 100 .
- movement of the support arm 100 from a position, such as the position shown in FIG. 4 , to the position shown in FIG. 3 moves the arm end location 318 away from the linkage end location and thereby displaces the biasing device 306 because the flexible element 314 is displaced.
- the biasing device 306 applies additional restoring to the flexible element 314 .
- the angle ⁇ changes in the predetermined manner so the component of the restoring force used in the counterbalancing moment changes and the moment closely counterbalances the moment of the support arm 100 and/or the display screen 102 .
- the support arm 100 thereby maintains the display screen 102 in the desired orientation.
- the arm end location 318 of the segment 315 is changed to vary the moment arm 322 applied with the restoring force of the biasing device 306 to create the counterbalancing moment. Movement of the arm end location 318 also changes the angle ⁇ and thereby changes the component of the restoring force used in the counterbalancing moment.
- the arm end location 318 in one option, is chosen to optimize the moment arm 322 for the counterbalancing moment and also to optimize the component of the restoring force used to generate the moment.
- FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 Another example of the support arm 800 is shown in FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 .
- the support arm 800 is similar to the support arm 100 in at least some aspects.
- the support arm 800 is positionable so the display screen 102 ( FIG. 1 ) coupled at the distal end 804 of the support arm 800 is similarly positionable.
- the display screen 102 is positionable vertically through movement of the support arm 800 .
- the display screen 102 is positionable horizontally through rotation of the support arm 800 around a pole, bar, wall and the like.
- the distal end 804 of the support arm 800 includes a distal component mount 806 sized and shaped to couple with the display screen 102 ( FIG. 1 ).
- the distal component mount 806 includes, in another example, a hinged lug 808 sized and shaped to movably couple with the display screen 102 .
- the hinged lug 808 couples with the display screen to facilitate rotational movement of the display screen 102 around the distal end 104 .
- the hinged lug 808 permits rotation around at least axes 809 , 811 .
- the hinged lug 808 permits rotation around one or more axes.
- the display screen 102 includes features to mount directly to the support arm 800 so the display screen 102 includes the distal component mount 806 .
- FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 show the support arm 800 in first, intermediate and second positions.
- the support arm 800 is movable within at least the range shown, in one example.
- the support arm 800 is movable within a range of at least around 90 to ⁇ 90 degrees relative to the relatively horizontal position shown in FIG. 9 (i.e., 0 degrees).
- the support arm 800 in one example, includes a four bar linkage 824 including arms, such as members 826 A, B.
- the members 826 A, B are moveably coupled between the distal component mount 806 and a proximal mount 828 .
- the member 826 A is moveably coupled to the proximal mount 828 at a pivot joint 807 .
- the proximal mount 828 is sized and shaped to facilitate coupling with, for instance, walls, ceilings, floors, poles, chassis (e.g., chassis 200 ) and the like.
- the members 826 A, B are offset from each other and moveably coupled to the distal component mount 806 and the proximal mount 828 .
- the four bar linkage 824 thereby permits movement of the support arm 100 between at least the positions shown in FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 .
- a biasing device 830 is coupled to the member 826 B of the support arm 800 .
- the biasing device 830 provides a restoring force that increases with increased displacement of the device 830 (e.g., compression and/or extension).
- the biasing device 830 includes, but is not limited to, compression springs, tension springs, elastomeric materials and the like.
- the biasing device 830 includes springs and/or elastomeric material in combinations (e.g., in series, parallel, tension and compression springs together, and the like).
- the biasing device 830 is optionally coupled at a first end 832 to the member 826 B.
- the biasing device 830 is coupled to the member 826 B with, but not limited to, fasteners such as brackets, pins, welds, lugs and the like. As shown in FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 , the biasing device 830 is coupled to the member 826 B with a bracket 834 . In one option, the first end 832 of the biasing device 830 is moveably coupled along the member 826 B. For example, the biasing device 830 is coupled to the member 826 B with bolts, screws, detents and the like that allow adjustment of the first end 832 location along the member 826 B. Positioning of the biasing member 830 thereby tunes the member 830 to provide a desired amount of pretensioning to the support arm 800 allowing positioning of a variety of display screens.
- a second end 836 of the biasing device 830 is moveably coupled to a first pulley 838 to permit translational movement of at least the second end 836 , as described below.
- the first pulley 838 forms a linkage that supports a flexible element, described below.
- the first pulley 838 is positioned within the biasing device 830 (e.g., within the coils of a spring). The first pulley 838 is coupled with the basing device 830 by a bearing 840 extending between the pulley 838 and the second end 836 of the biasing device 830 .
- a guide 842 extends from the second member 826 B (e.g., the bracket 834 ) along the biasing device 830 .
- the guide 842 is disposed within at least one of the bearing 840 and the biasing device 830 .
- the guide 842 thereby substantially prevents lateral movement of the biasing device 830 during displacement of the device 830 .
- the guide 842 is slidably coupled with the biasing device 830 and/or the bearing 840 and permits longitudinal displacement (e.g., contraction and extension) of the biasing device 830 , as described below.
- a flexible element 844 such as a filament, cable, belt and the like, extends between the members 826 A, B.
- the flexible element 844 is constructed with, but not limited to, metal (e.g., steel), polymers, rope and the like.
- the flexible element 844 is coupled to the member 826 B distal to the proximal mount 828 .
- the flexible element 844 is coupled to the bracket 834 , in another example.
- the flexible element 844 is coupled with, but not limited to, a fastener such as a lug 846 , weld, pin and the like.
- the flexible element 844 is coupled to the member 826 A proximate to the distal component mount 806 .
- the first pulley 838 is in rolling communication with the flexible element 844 .
- Movement of the support arm 100 including the members 826 A, B correspondingly moves the flexible element 844 over the first pulley 838 and pulls or relaxes pulling on the first pulley 838 coupled to the biasing device 830 (e.g., through the bearing 840 ).
- Movement of the flexible element 844 during rotation of the support arm 800 thereby increases or decreases the restoring force provided by the biasing device 830 by displacing the biasing device 830 with pulling or relaxing of pull on the first pulley 838 coupled thereto.
- the flexible element 844 is coupled along the members 826 A, B so the restoring force applied by the biasing device 830 to the support arm 800 increases as the moment of the support arm 800 increases, for instance while the support arm 100 is in a substantially horizontal intermediate position as shown in FIG. 9 (i.e., between the first and second positions in FIGS. 8 and 10 , respectively).
- a component of the restoring force created by the biasing device 830 provides a moment that counterbalances the moment of the display screen 102 ( FIG. 1 ) and the support arm 800 and maintains the display screen 102 and the support arm 800 in a desired orientation, as further described below.
- a second pulley 848 is coupled between the second member 826 B and the proximal mount 828 , in one example.
- the second pulley 848 is rotatably coupled to the pivot joint 850 and carried on a bearing, such as a circular pin.
- the second pulley 848 as part of the linkage optionally including the first pulley 838 , provides a mechanical advantage to movement of the flexible element 844 and the biasing device 830 .
- the second pulley 848 allows the flexible element 844 to experience double the displacement relative to the displacement of the biasing device 830 .
- the linkage includes, cams, levers and the like, adapted to assist in maintaining the support arm 800 in a desired orientation.
- the arm end location 852 and the placement of the second pulley 848 along the member 826 B are chosen so the angle ⁇ changes in a predetermined manner.
- the angle ⁇ changes in the predetermined manner to ensure the biasing device 830 provides a restoring force component and corresponding moment that closely counterbalances the moment of the arm 800 and/or the display screen 102 ( FIG. 1 ) during rotation of the arm 800 .
- the biasing device 830 and the flexible element 844 substantially counterbalance the moment of the support arm 800 and/or the display screen 102 ( FIG. 1 ) throughout the range of motion of the arm 800 .
- the arm end location 852 and the linkage end location 854 are chosen so the angle ⁇ changes at different rates during rotation of the arm 100 .
- the rate of change of the angle ⁇ increases at least after the arm 800 passes a substantially horizontal position between the first and second positions ( FIG. 9 ) and moves into orientations such as that shown in FIG. 10 (i.e., where the arm 800 is angled below horizontal).
- the angle ⁇ decreases at an increased rate to attenuate the increased restoring force of the biasing device 830 as the arm 800 is rotated.
- the biasing device 830 experiences increased displacement during rotation of the arm and the device 830 correspondingly produces a greater restoring force component for the counter-balancing moment.
- the angle ⁇ decreases at a greater rate to attenuate the corresponding moment due to the greater restoring force.
- the decreasing moment of the arm 800 and/or the display screen 102 ( FIG. 1 ) coupled thereto in orientations such as shown in Figures and 10 is matched by the attenuated moment created by the displaced biasing device 830 and the angle ⁇ that decreases at a faster rate.
- the support arm 100 is sized and shaped to provide a similar relation for angle ⁇ , in another example.
- the segment 856 of the flexible element 844 is coupled to the member 826 A with a stop 858 sized and shaped to engage with the member 826 A and substantially prevent movement of the segment 856 at the arm end location 852 .
- the stop 858 includes, but is not limited to, a piece of plastic, metal and the like formed around the flexible element 844 .
- the stop 858 includes a swaged portion of the flexible element 844 that presents a larger profile than the flexible element 844 .
- the flexible element 844 is threaded through a keeper 860 with the stop 858 coupled to the element 314 .
- the keeper 860 in another example, is moveable along the member 826 A, for instance along a rail 862 .
- the rail 862 includes a bolt, pin and the like sized and shaped to move along the member 826 A and thereby move the arm end location 852 (e.g., the keeper 860 ).
- the position of the arm end location 852 relative to the second pulley 848 correspondingly changes the length of the segment 856 . Additionally, the position of the arm end location 852 relative to the second pulley 848 determines how the angle ⁇ changes in the predetermined manner to alter the restoring force of the support arm 800 during rotation. Movement of the arm end location 852 toward the proximal mount 828 correspondingly increases the angle ⁇ throughout the travel of the support arm 800 . As a result, the component of the restoring force of the biasing device 830 used to counterbalance the moment of the support arm 800 and/or the display screen 102 increases. Additionally, movement of the arm end location 852 toward the distal mount 806 increases the moment created by the restoring force because the moment arm 864 is correspondingly increased. Optionally, the arm end location 852 is chosen to optimize the component of the restoring force and the moment arm 864 that provide the moment to counterbalance the moment of the support arm 800 and/or the display screen 102 .
- FIG. 11 is a graph 1100 displaying the angle of a support arm, such as support arm 800 , compared with the angle of the segment 856 relative to the first member 826 A (i.e., angle ⁇ ).
- Angle ⁇ increases as the support arm 800 approaches the 0 degree position where the support arm 800 and/or the display screen 102 ( FIG. 1 ) provide the largest moment (See FIG. 9 ).
- the angle ⁇ reaches its peak at the support arm 800 position shown in FIG. 9 , the 0 degree position of the arm 800 .
- the angle ⁇ allows the biasing device 830 to apply the appropriate amount of restoring force as the component of counterbalancing moment to maintain the arm 800 in the desired position.
- the support arm 800 is positioned beyond the position shown in FIG.
- the angle ⁇ decreases at a faster rate. As described above, the angle ⁇ decreases at a faster rate to offset the continued displacement of the biasing device 830 and corresponding increased restoring force component of the counter-balancing moment.
- the smaller angle ⁇ in the negative arm angles ensures a smaller component of the increased restoring force is applied to the support arm 800 . Because the support arm 800 and/or the display screen 102 ( FIG. 1 ) create smaller moments at the negative arm angles, the attenuated component of the restoring force does not overbalance the support arm 800 .
- the support arm 800 (e.g., arm end location 852 , linkage end location 854 and the like) is sized and shaped to ensure the angle ⁇ attenuates the moment created by the biasing device 830 in a predetermined manner that closely offsets the moment of the support arm 800 and/or the display screen 102 .
- FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a method 1200 for making a support arm.
- a support arm i.e., support arms 100 , 800
- FIGS. 1-4 and 8 - 10 Reference is made to the support arm 100 below.
- the method 1200 applies to the support arm 800 .
- a flexible element 314 is coupled between a biasing device 306 and a first member 302 A.
- another portion of the flexible element 314 is coupled to a second member 302 B.
- the second member 302 B is adapted to correspondingly move with the first member 302 A.
- the first member 302 A includes a pivot joint 307 around which the first member 302 A rotates.
- the biasing device 306 includes, but is not limited to a compression spring, tension spring, elastomeric material and the like.
- the biasing device 306 includes springs and/or elastomeric material in combinations (e.g., in series, parallel, tension and compression springs, and the like).
- the biasing device 306 provides an increasing force with increasing displacement.
- a first end 308 of the biasing device 306 is coupled to the second member 302 B.
- a linkage is moveably coupled along the flexible element between first member 302 A and the biasing device 306 .
- At least a portion of the flexible element 314 forms a segment 315 between the first member 302 A and the linkage and the segment 315 is at an angle relative to the first member 302 A (e.g., angle ⁇ ). The angle varies during rotation of the first member 302 A.
- An arm end location 318 is fixed in relation to the first member 302 A during rotation and a linkage end location 319 of the segment 315 changes in relation to the pivot joint 307 during rotation.
- the linkage includes at least one pulley 316 moveably coupled along the flexible element 314 .
- the at least one pulley 316 is coupled to the second member 302 B, in another example.
- the linkage includes cams, levers and the like adapted to assist in positioning the support arm 100 in a desired orientation.
- the support arm 100 includes an additional pulley 312 coupled between the biasing device 306 and the flexible element 314 .
- the additional pulley 312 is moveably coupled to the flexible element 314 so the pulley 312 is in rolling communication with the flexible element 314 .
- One advantage includes a support arm that provides a moment that closely counterbalances the moment of the support arm and/or a display screen throughout the range of motion of the support arm. Because the support arm closely counterbalances the moment of the arm and/or the display screen, the arm remains in a desired orientation anywhere along the range of motion of the arm. Additionally, because the angle ⁇ decreases at a higher rate after at least passing the point of maximum moment of the support arm and/or the display screen (e.g., 0 degrees) the support arm attenuates the increased restoring force of the biasing device and closely matches the decreased moment of the support arm and display screen. Moreover, because the biasing device and the linkage (e.g., the flexible element) extend along the support arm members the support arm provides a narrow profile that takes up less space while retaining the support arm and/or the display screen in a desired orientation.
- the biasing device and the linkage e.g., the flexible element
Abstract
A support arm includes an arm having a proximal arm pivot joint that provides a range of elevational rotation of the arm. The arm further includes a distal component mount. The support arm further includes a biasing device adapted to provide an increasing force with increasing displacement. A flexible element is coupled between the biasing device and the arm with a linkage therebetween. At least a portion of the flexible element forms a segment between the arm and the linkage. The segment is at an angle relative to the arm, and the angle varies during rotation of the arm. An arm end location of the segment is fixed in relation to the arm during rotation of the arm. A linkage end location of the segment changes in relation to the pivot joint during rotation of the arm.
Description
- This application relates to devices and methods for moveably supporting equipment. Specifically, but not by way of limitation, this application relates to devices and methods for supporting display screens such as flat panel display screens for use with personal computers.
- In many fields, it is useful to support equipment in such a way to make the position of the equipment adjustable. In particular, flat panel display screens (e.g., LCD screens, plasma screens and the like) are gaining popularity with consumers. It is desirable for users of flat panel display screens to position their screens, in orientations that are ergonomically correct, for instance at eye level.
- Although examples of the present invention can be used with several different adjustment joints, an elevation joint is used as an example. An elevation adjustment is useful to provide flexibility for users of different heights. One common elevation adjustment includes an arm configuration with a joint between two arm portions. A user can move a distal arm portion along an arc by rotating the distal arm in relation to a base arm portion about an elevation joint.
- It is inconvenient for the user if the equipment, such as the flat panel display, does not stay in the intended position. Unwanted motion can be caused by the elevation joint being too loose, with the equipment moving under its own weight. Additionally, sometimes the mechanism of the arm overcompensates or undercompensates for the weight of the display screen and/or the arm, and the arm undesirably moves out of the desired position on its own. Unwanted motion can also be caused by inadvertent bumping of the arm or supported equipment. Further, if the elevation joint moves an excessive amount, the supported equipment, such as the flat panel display, may become damaged by hitting a surface such as a desktop.
- What is needed is a support arm that provides adjustability and retains the display screen in a desired orientation.
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FIG. 1 shows one example of a support arm supporting a display screen. -
FIG. 2 shows one example of a support arm with a chassis. -
FIG. 3 shows one example of a support arm in a first position. -
FIG. 4 shows another example of the support arm in a second position. -
FIG. 5 shows a free body diagram and static equations of one example of a support arm. -
FIG. 6 shows a graph displaying one example of the moments of the support arm shown inFIG. 5 relative to the moments created by the support arm weight over a range of support arm angles. -
FIG. 7 shows a graph displaying one example of the moments of a prior art gas spring support arm relative to the moments created by the support arm weight over a range of support arm angles. -
FIG. 8 shows one example of a support arm in a first position. -
FIG. 9 shows another example of the support arm in an intermediate position. -
FIG. 10 shows yet another example of the support arm in a second position. -
FIG. 11 shows a graph displaying the arm angle against the angle of the cable Φ. -
FIG. 12 shows a block diagram for one example of a method for making a support arm. - In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which is shown, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. In the drawings, like numerals describe substantially similar components throughout the several views. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. Other embodiments may be utilized and structural, logical changes, etc. may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.
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FIG. 1 shows asupport arm 100 and adisplay screen 102 coupled to thesupport arm 100. In one example, thedisplay screen 102 is a flat panel display, for instance, a plasma television, LCD display, or the like. In another example, thedisplay screen 102 is a CRT display, LCD projection display or the like. Thesupport arm 100 is optionally mounted to a surface, such as a wall, floor, ceiling and the like. In yet another example, thesupport arm 100 is mounted to a chassis, for instance, a wheeled chassis, such as thechassis 200 shown inFIG. 2 , described below. Thesupport arm 100 is positionable so thedisplay screen 102 coupled at thedistal end 104 of thesupport arm 100 is similarly positionable. In one example, thedisplay screen 102 is positionable vertically through movement of thesupport arm 100. In another example, thedisplay screen 102 is positionable horizontally through rotation of thesupport arm 100 around a pole, bar, wall and the like. - As shown in
FIG. 1 , thedistal end 104 of thesupport arm 100 includes adistal component mount 106 sized and shaped to couple with thedisplay screen 102. Thedistal component mount 106 includes, in another example, alug 108 sized and shaped to movably couple with thedisplay screen 102. Thelug 108 couples with acorresponding display lug 110 of thedisplay screen 102 to facilitate rotational movement of thedisplay screen 102 around thedistal end 104. Thedisplay lug 110 rotates relative to thelug 108 of themount 106, optionally. Thedisplay screen 102 is thereby further positionable so thescreen 102 points upward and/or downward relative to ahorizontal axis 112. In still another example, thedisplay screen 102 includes features to mount directly to thesupport arm 100 so thedisplay screen 102 includes thedistal component mount 106. -
FIG. 2 shows thesupport arm 100 coupled with thechassis 200. In one example, thechassis 200 includes ahousing 202. Thehousing 202, as shown in the example inFIG. 2 , is formed with bars and/or plates assembled to provide afirst shelf 204 for an input device, such as, a keyboard, mouse, light pen, and the like. Thehousing 202 provides a second shelf 208 for a processor. Optionally, the housing includes additional shelves and storage devices, for instance,document shelf 206. In another example, thehousing 202 includes amount 210 sized and shaped to couple with thesupport arm 100. Thesupport arm 100 extends from at least a portion of thehousing 202 and is proximate to thefirst shelf 204, optionally. Thedisplay screen 102 is thereby proximate to a keyboard or other input device and allows for operation of the input device and viewing of thedisplay screen 102 at the same time. In yet another example, thesupport arm 100 is remote from thefirst shelf 204 to allow remote viewing of the display screen (e.g., while pointed in a different direction for the benefit of a second viewer). Thedisplay screen 102, input devices and a processor are in communication with each other, in still another example. - In another option, the
housing 202 rides oncasters 212 sized and shaped to facilitate movement of thechassis 200. Thecasters 212 permit movement of thedisplay screen 102 into a variety of locations and thesupport arm 100 facilitates stable positioning of thedisplay screen 102 into a variety of orientations for ease of viewing during use. -
FIG. 3 shows thesupport arm 100 in a first position. Thesupport arm 100, in one example, includes a fourbar linkage 300 including arms, such asmembers 302A, B. Themembers 302A, B are moveably coupled between thedistal component mount 106 and aproximal mount 304. Themember 302A is moveably coupled to theproximal mount 304 at apivot joint 307. Theproximal mount 304 is sized and shaped to facilitate coupling with, for instance, walls, ceilings, floors, poles, chassis (e.g., chassis 200) and the like. Themembers 302A, B are offset from each other and moveably coupled to thedistal component mount 106 and theproximal mount 304. The fourbar linkage 300 thereby permits movement of thesupport arm 100 between at least the positions shown inFIGS. 3 and 4 . Optionally, thesupport arm 100 moves between angles of at least around 90 to −90 degrees. In one example, themembers 302A, B are coupled with thedistal component mount 106 and theproximal mount 304 with fasteners such as pins, screws, rivets, and the like that permit rotation of the members at themounts members 302A, B are parallel to each other throughout movement of thesupport arm 100. - A
biasing device 306, in one example, is coupled to themember 302B. Thebiasing device 306 provides a restoring force that increases with increased displacement of the device 306 (e.g., compression and/or extension). Thebiasing device 306 includes, but is not limited to, compression springs, tension springs, elastomeric materials and the like. Thebiasing device 306 is constructed with a material, such as steel, an elastomer and the like, that provides restoring force to retain thesupport arm 100 in a desired orientation. Optionally, thebiasing device 306 includes springs and/or elastomeric material in combinations (e.g., in series, parallel, tension and compression springs together, and the like). As shown inFIGS. 3 and 4 , thebiasing device 306 is optionally coupled at afirst end 308 to themember 302B. Thebiasing device 306 is coupled to themember 302B with, but not limited to, fasteners such as pins, welds, lugs and the like. In one option, thefirst end 308 of thebiasing device 306 is moveably coupled along themember 302B. For example, thebiasing device 306 is coupled to themember 302B with bolts, screws, detents and the like that allow adjustment of thefirst end 308 location along themember 302B. Positioning of the biasingmember 306 thereby tunes themember 306 to provide a desired amount of pretensioning to thesupport arm 100. In another example, asecond end 310 of thebiasing device 306 is moveably coupled to afirst pulley 312 to permit rotation of thepulley 312 relative to thebiasing device 306. Optionally, thefirst pulley 312 forms a linkage that supports a flexible element, described below. - A
flexible element 314, such as a filament, cable, belt and the like, extends between themembers 302A, B. In one example, theflexible element 314 is coupled to themember 302B distal to theproximal mount 304. In another example, theflexible element 314 is coupled to themember 302A proximate to thedistal component mount 106. As shown inFIG. 3 , thefirst pulley 312 is in rolling communication with theflexible element 314. Movement of thesupport arm 100 including themembers 302A, B correspondingly moves theflexible element 314 over thefirst pulley 312 and pushes or pulls thefirst pulley 312 coupled to thebiasing device 306. Movement of theflexible element 314 during rotation of thesupport arm 100 thereby increases or decreases the restoring force provided by thebiasing device 306 by pulling or pushing on thefirst pulley 312 coupled thereto. Theflexible element 314 is coupled along themembers 302A, B so the restoring force applied by thebiasing device 306 to thesupport arm 100 increases as the moment of thesupport arm 100 increases, for instance while thesupport arm 100 is in a substantially horizontal position (i.e., between the first and second position inFIGS. 3 and 4 , respectively). A component of the restoring force created by thebiasing device 306 provides a moment that counterbalances the moment of the display screen 102 (FIG. 1 ) and thesupport arm 100 and maintains thedisplay screen 102 and thesupport arm 100 in a desired orientation, as further described below. - As shown in
FIGS. 3 and 4 , asecond pulley 316 is moveably coupled to themember 302B, in one example. In the example shown, thesecond pulley 316 is rotatably coupled to themember 302B and carried on a bearing, such as a circular pin. Thesecond pulley 316, as part of the linkage optionally including thefirst pulley 312, provides a mechanical advantage to movement of theflexible element 314 and thebiasing device 306. Thesecond pulley 316 allows theflexible element 314 to experience double the displacement relative to the displacement of thebiasing device 306. This minimizes the space taken up by thebiasing device 306 along thesupport arm 100 because thebiasing device 306 is able to counterbalance the moment of thesupport arm 100 with half of the displacement of theflexible element 314. As a result, the linkage, including thefirst pulley 312 and thesecond pulley 316, provides a compact design for thesupport arm 100 that provides sufficient restoring force to supply a moment that counterbalances the moment of thearm 100 and/or the display screen 102 (FIG. 1 ). Thesupport arm 100 thereby presents a narrow profile that takes up less space and also maintains the desired position of thearm 100 and/or thedisplay screen 102. In another example, the linkage includes, cams, levers and the like, adapted to assist in maintaining thesupport arm 100 in a desired orientation. - As shown in
FIGS. 3 and 4 , the angle Φ extends betweenmember 302A and asegment 315 of theflexible element 314. In one example, theflexible element segment 315 extends between anarm end location 318 on themember 302A and alinkage end location 319 where theflexible element 314 movably couples with thesecond pulley 316. Thelinkage end location 319 is optionally at a tangent to the circumference of thesecond pulley 316 where thesegment 315 meets thepulley 316. During rotation of thesupport arm 100, the distance between thearm end location 318 and the pivot joint 307 is static and the distance between thelinkage end location 319 and the pivot joint 307 changes. For instance, thelinkage end location 319 will change as the tangent changes along thesecond pulley 316. In another example, thearm end location 318 is static along themember 302A. The angle Φ changes with rotation of thesupport arm 100 because thearm end location 318 moves relative to the second pulley 316 (SeeFIGS. 3 and 4 ) and thelinkage end location 319 changes. Thesegment 315 of theflexible element 306 between thearm end location 318 and thesecond pulley 316 thereby changes length during rotation of thesupport arm 100. The component of the restoring force applied to thesupport arm 100 to create a counter balancing moment changes during rotation of thearm 100 according to the angle Φ. - The
arm end location 318 and the placement of thesecond pulley 316 along themember 302B are chosen so the angle Φ changes in a predetermined manner. The angle Φ changes in the predetermined manner to ensure thebiasing device 306 provides a restoring force and corresponding moment that closely counterbalances the moment of thearm 100 and/or the display screen 102 (FIG. 1 ) during rotation of thearm 100. As a result, thebiasing device 306 and theflexible element 314 substantially counterbalance the moment of thesupport arm 100 and/or the display screen 102 (FIG. 1 ) throughout the range of motion of thearm 100. In another example, the support arm 100 (e.g., thearm end location 318 and thelinkage end location 319 are chosen so the angle Φ changes at different rates during rotation of thearm 100. For instance, the rate of change of the angle Φ increases at least after thearm 100 passes a substantially horizontal position between the first and second positions (FIGS. 3 and 4 ) and moves into orientations such as that shown in FIG. 3 (i.e., where thearm 100 is angled below horizontal). The angle Φ decreases at an increased rate to attenuate the increased restoring force of thebiasing device 306 as thearm 100 is rotated. Thebiasing device 306 experiences increased displacement during rotation of the arm and thedevice 306 correspondingly produces greater restoring forces. The angle Φ decreases at a greater rate to attenuate the corresponding moment due to the greater restoring force. As a result, the decreasing moment of thearm 100 and/or the display screen 102 (FIG. 1 ) coupled thereto in orientations such as shown inFIG. 3 is matched by the attenuated moment created by the displacedbiasing device 306 and the angle Φ that decreases at a faster rate. - In another option, the
segment 315 of theflexible element 314 is coupled to themember 302A with astop 320 sized and shaped to engage with themember 302A and substantially prevent movement of thesegment 315 at thearm end location 318. In one example, theflexible element 314 is threaded through themember 302A with thestop 320 coupled to theelement 314. Thestop 320 has a larger profile than theelement 314 and engages with themember 302A to couple theflexible element 314 to themember 302A. Optionally, thestop 320 includes, but is not limited to, a piece of plastic, metal and the like formed around theflexible element 314. In another option, thestop 320 includes a swaged portion of theflexible element 314 that presents a larger profile than theflexible element 314. In another example, thestop 320 is positionable along themember 302A while thesupport arm 100 is not being rotated. Thestop 320 is positioned, for instance, within detents, grooves, spaced sockets and the like to selectively position an end of thesegment 315 at varyingarm end locations 318. The position of thearm end location 318 relative to thesecond pulley 316 correspondingly changes the length of thesegment 315. Additionally, the position of thearm end location 318 relative to the second pulley determines how the angle Φ changes in the predetermined manner to alter the restoring force of thesupport arm 100 during rotation. Movement of thearm end location 318 toward theproximal mount 304 correspondingly increases the angle Φ throughout the travel of thesupport arm 100. As a result, the component of the restoring force of thebiasing device 306 used to counterbalance the moment of thesupport arm 100 and/or thedisplay screen 102 increases, as described below. Additionally, movement of thearm end location 318 toward thedistal mount 106 increases the moment created by the restoring force because themoment arm 322 is correspondingly increased (also described below). Optionally, thearm end location 318 is chosen to optimize the component of the restoring force and themoment arm 322 that provide the moment to counterbalance the moment of thesupport arm 100 and/or thedisplay screen 102. -
FIG. 5 shows one example of a support arm free body diagram including representations of themembers 302A, B, thedistal mount 106 and theproximal mount 304. The biasing device includes acompression spring 500 in the example shown. Thecompression spring 500 provides an Fsp and pulls on theflexible element 314 to put theelement 314 in tension as shown with Fcable. As shown inFIG. 5 , thesegment 315 of theflexible element 314 extends between thelinkage end location 319 at thesecond pulley 316 and thearm end location 318. Fcable is applied to themember 302A at thearm end location 318. A component of Fcable and the moment arm 1 m (e.g.,moment arm 322 inFIGS. 3 and 4 ) provide the moment Msp around pivot joint 502 between theproximal mount 304 and themember 302A. The moment of the weight MW is provided by the weight W including the weight of thesupport arm 100 and/or the weight of the display screen 102 (FIG. 1 ). As shown in the free body diagram and the example equations inFIG. 5 , the Msp acts to counterbalance the MW of thesupport arm 100 and/or thedisplay screen 102. - The
arm end location 318, where theflexible element 314 couples with themember 302A, is chosen to optimize the moment arm 1 m and the angle Φ and thereby provide a Msp that closely counterbalances the MW throughout rotation of thesupport arm 100. The angle Φ determines the component of the Fcable used in providing the Mps as shown inFIG. 5 . As described above, thearm end location 318 is chosen so the angle Φ changes in a predetermined manner to ensure the component of the Fcable and the moment arm 1 m provide sufficient Msp to counterbalance the MW substantially throughout rotation of thesupport arm 100. In another example, thelinkage end location 319 and thearm end location 318 are chosen so the angle Φ changes in a predetermined manner. In yet another example, thesupport arm 100 is sized and shaped so the angle Φ changes at a faster rate during rotation of thearm 100 through a particular angle (e.g., where the arm moves from the horizontal to negative angles as shown inFIG. 3 ). As the angle Φ changes at the faster rate increased restoring forces from thebiasing device 306 are attenuated to ensure thearm 100 maintains the display screen in a desired orientation, as described below. - In one example, a first
arm end location 318 is chosen so Msp counterbalances thesupport arm 100 and a display screen 102 (FIG. 1 ) that has a particular weight and depth (e.g., is shallow or deep and thereby decreases or increases the moment arm of the MW). In another example, the firstarm end location 318 is adjusted so Msp counterbalances thesupport arm 100 and adisplay screen 102 with a different weight and/or depth. -
FIG. 6 shows agraph 600 comparing one example of the Msp generated with a support arm, such as support arm 100 (FIG. 1 ), along with the corresponding MW provided by thesupport arm 100 and/or the display screen 102 (FIG. 1 ) during rotation of thearm 100. The curve of the Msp closely approximates the curve of the MW thereby showing the Msp closely counterbalances the MW. As a result, thesupport arm 100 maintains thedisplay screen 102 in a desired orientation.FIG. 7 shows a graph comparing a prior art support arm with the MW of the prior art support arm and/or a display screen. The prior art support arm Msp curve shows that the Msp is consistently greater than the MW. The prior art support arm thereby overcompensates for the MW of the support arm and/or the display. The prior art support arm may undesirably move the display screen from a desired orientation because the prior art arm does not ensure the close counterbalancing provided with the support arm 100 (FIG. 6 ). - In operation, the
support arm 100 is rotated around theproximal mount 304. Themember 302A rotates around the pivot joint 307 and themember 302B similarly rotates withmember 302A around an offset joint 309. Rotation of thesupport arm 100 from the position shown inFIG. 3 to the position shown inFIG. 4 moves the arm end location of thesegment 315 closer to thelinkage end location 319. In one example, theflexible element 314 correspondingly moves over thesecond pulley 316 and allows thebiasing device 306 to relax, as shown inFIG. 4 . As thebiasing device 306 relaxes it progressively applies less restoring force to thesupport arm 100. As described above, the angle Φ changes during rotation of thesupport arm 100. The angle Φ changes in a predetermined manner and the component of the restoring force used to provide the counterbalancing moment (e.g., Msp) to the moment of thesupport arm 100 and/or the display screen 102 (e.g., MW) correspondingly changes. The counterbalancing moment changes during rotation of thesupport arm 100 to closely counterbalance thesupport arm 100 and/or the display screen 102 (FIG. 1 ). As a result, thesupport arm 100 maintains a desired orientation of thedisplay screen 102, throughout the range of motion of thearm 100. - In another example, movement of the
support arm 100 from a position, such as the position shown inFIG. 4 , to the position shown inFIG. 3 moves thearm end location 318 away from the linkage end location and thereby displaces thebiasing device 306 because theflexible element 314 is displaced. Thebiasing device 306 applies additional restoring to theflexible element 314. The angle Φ changes in the predetermined manner so the component of the restoring force used in the counterbalancing moment changes and the moment closely counterbalances the moment of thesupport arm 100 and/or thedisplay screen 102. Thesupport arm 100 thereby maintains thedisplay screen 102 in the desired orientation. - Optionally, the
arm end location 318 of thesegment 315 is changed to vary themoment arm 322 applied with the restoring force of thebiasing device 306 to create the counterbalancing moment. Movement of thearm end location 318 also changes the angle Φ and thereby changes the component of the restoring force used in the counterbalancing moment. Thearm end location 318, in one option, is chosen to optimize themoment arm 322 for the counterbalancing moment and also to optimize the component of the restoring force used to generate the moment. - Another example of the
support arm 800 is shown inFIGS. 8, 9 and 10. Thesupport arm 800 is similar to thesupport arm 100 in at least some aspects. Thesupport arm 800 is positionable so the display screen 102 (FIG. 1 ) coupled at thedistal end 804 of thesupport arm 800 is similarly positionable. In one example, thedisplay screen 102 is positionable vertically through movement of thesupport arm 800. In another example, thedisplay screen 102 is positionable horizontally through rotation of thesupport arm 800 around a pole, bar, wall and the like. - As shown in
FIGS. 8, 9 and 10, thedistal end 804 of thesupport arm 800 includes adistal component mount 806 sized and shaped to couple with the display screen 102 (FIG. 1 ). Thedistal component mount 806 includes, in another example, a hingedlug 808 sized and shaped to movably couple with thedisplay screen 102. The hingedlug 808 couples with the display screen to facilitate rotational movement of thedisplay screen 102 around thedistal end 104. In one example, the hingedlug 808 permits rotation around atleast axes lug 808 permits rotation around one or more axes. In still another example, thedisplay screen 102 includes features to mount directly to thesupport arm 800 so thedisplay screen 102 includes thedistal component mount 806. -
FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 show thesupport arm 800 in first, intermediate and second positions. Thesupport arm 800 is movable within at least the range shown, in one example. In another example, thesupport arm 800 is movable within a range of at least around 90 to −90 degrees relative to the relatively horizontal position shown inFIG. 9 (i.e., 0 degrees). Thesupport arm 800, in one example, includes a fourbar linkage 824 including arms, such asmembers 826A, B. Themembers 826A, B are moveably coupled between thedistal component mount 806 and aproximal mount 828. Themember 826A is moveably coupled to theproximal mount 828 at apivot joint 807. Theproximal mount 828 is sized and shaped to facilitate coupling with, for instance, walls, ceilings, floors, poles, chassis (e.g., chassis 200) and the like. Themembers 826A, B are offset from each other and moveably coupled to thedistal component mount 806 and theproximal mount 828. The fourbar linkage 824 thereby permits movement of thesupport arm 100 between at least the positions shown inFIGS. 8, 9 and 10. - As described with the
support arm 100, abiasing device 830, in one example, is coupled to themember 826B of thesupport arm 800. Thebiasing device 830 provides a restoring force that increases with increased displacement of the device 830 (e.g., compression and/or extension). Thebiasing device 830 includes, but is not limited to, compression springs, tension springs, elastomeric materials and the like. Optionally, thebiasing device 830 includes springs and/or elastomeric material in combinations (e.g., in series, parallel, tension and compression springs together, and the like). As shown inFIGS. 8, 9 and 10, thebiasing device 830 is optionally coupled at afirst end 832 to themember 826B. Thebiasing device 830 is coupled to themember 826B with, but not limited to, fasteners such as brackets, pins, welds, lugs and the like. As shown inFIGS. 8, 9 and 10, thebiasing device 830 is coupled to themember 826B with abracket 834. In one option, thefirst end 832 of thebiasing device 830 is moveably coupled along themember 826B. For example, thebiasing device 830 is coupled to themember 826B with bolts, screws, detents and the like that allow adjustment of thefirst end 832 location along themember 826B. Positioning of the biasingmember 830 thereby tunes themember 830 to provide a desired amount of pretensioning to thesupport arm 800 allowing positioning of a variety of display screens. - In another example, a
second end 836 of thebiasing device 830 is moveably coupled to afirst pulley 838 to permit translational movement of at least thesecond end 836, as described below. Optionally, thefirst pulley 838 forms a linkage that supports a flexible element, described below. In another option, thefirst pulley 838 is positioned within the biasing device 830 (e.g., within the coils of a spring). Thefirst pulley 838 is coupled with the basingdevice 830 by abearing 840 extending between thepulley 838 and thesecond end 836 of thebiasing device 830. Aguide 842, in yet another option, extends from thesecond member 826B (e.g., the bracket 834) along thebiasing device 830. In one example, theguide 842 is disposed within at least one of thebearing 840 and thebiasing device 830. Theguide 842 thereby substantially prevents lateral movement of thebiasing device 830 during displacement of thedevice 830. Theguide 842 is slidably coupled with thebiasing device 830 and/or thebearing 840 and permits longitudinal displacement (e.g., contraction and extension) of thebiasing device 830, as described below. - A
flexible element 844, such as a filament, cable, belt and the like, extends between themembers 826A, B. Theflexible element 844 is constructed with, but not limited to, metal (e.g., steel), polymers, rope and the like. In one example, theflexible element 844 is coupled to themember 826B distal to theproximal mount 828. Theflexible element 844 is coupled to thebracket 834, in another example. Theflexible element 844 is coupled with, but not limited to, a fastener such as alug 846, weld, pin and the like. In another example, theflexible element 844 is coupled to themember 826A proximate to thedistal component mount 806. - As shown in
FIGS. 8, 9 and 10, thefirst pulley 838 is in rolling communication with theflexible element 844. Movement of thesupport arm 100 including themembers 826A, B correspondingly moves theflexible element 844 over thefirst pulley 838 and pulls or relaxes pulling on thefirst pulley 838 coupled to the biasing device 830 (e.g., through the bearing 840). Movement of theflexible element 844 during rotation of thesupport arm 800 thereby increases or decreases the restoring force provided by thebiasing device 830 by displacing thebiasing device 830 with pulling or relaxing of pull on thefirst pulley 838 coupled thereto. - As described with somewhat similar components in the
support arm 100, theflexible element 844 is coupled along themembers 826A, B so the restoring force applied by thebiasing device 830 to thesupport arm 800 increases as the moment of thesupport arm 800 increases, for instance while thesupport arm 100 is in a substantially horizontal intermediate position as shown inFIG. 9 (i.e., between the first and second positions inFIGS. 8 and 10 , respectively). A component of the restoring force created by thebiasing device 830 provides a moment that counterbalances the moment of the display screen 102 (FIG. 1 ) and thesupport arm 800 and maintains thedisplay screen 102 and thesupport arm 800 in a desired orientation, as further described below. - As shown in
FIGS. 8, 9 and 10, asecond pulley 848 is coupled between thesecond member 826B and theproximal mount 828, in one example. In the example shown, thesecond pulley 848 is rotatably coupled to the pivot joint 850 and carried on a bearing, such as a circular pin. Thesecond pulley 848, as part of the linkage optionally including thefirst pulley 838, provides a mechanical advantage to movement of theflexible element 844 and thebiasing device 830. Thesecond pulley 848 allows theflexible element 844 to experience double the displacement relative to the displacement of thebiasing device 830. This minimizes the space taken up by thebiasing device 830 along thesupport arm 800 because thebiasing device 830 is able to counterbalance the moment of thesupport arm 800 with half of the displacement of theflexible element 844. As a result, the linkage, including thefirst pulley 838 and thesecond pulley 848, provides a compact design for thesupport arm 800 that provides sufficient restoring force to supply a moment that counterbalances the moment of thearm 800 and/or the display screen 102 (FIG. 1 ). Thesupport arm 800 thereby presents a narrow profile that takes up less space and also maintains the desired position of thearm 800 and/or thedisplay screen 102. In another example, the linkage includes, cams, levers and the like, adapted to assist in maintaining thesupport arm 800 in a desired orientation. - The
arm end location 852 and the placement of thesecond pulley 848 along themember 826B are chosen so the angle Φ changes in a predetermined manner. The angle Φ changes in the predetermined manner to ensure thebiasing device 830 provides a restoring force component and corresponding moment that closely counterbalances the moment of thearm 800 and/or the display screen 102 (FIG. 1 ) during rotation of thearm 800. As a result, thebiasing device 830 and theflexible element 844 substantially counterbalance the moment of thesupport arm 800 and/or the display screen 102 (FIG. 1 ) throughout the range of motion of thearm 800. In another example, thearm end location 852 and the linkage end location 854 (e.g., where theflexible element 844 is tangent to thesecond pulley 848 and extends toward the arm end location 852) are chosen so the angle Φ changes at different rates during rotation of thearm 100. For instance, the rate of change of the angle Φ increases at least after thearm 800 passes a substantially horizontal position between the first and second positions (FIG. 9 ) and moves into orientations such as that shown inFIG. 10 (i.e., where thearm 800 is angled below horizontal). The angle Φ decreases at an increased rate to attenuate the increased restoring force of thebiasing device 830 as thearm 800 is rotated. Thebiasing device 830 experiences increased displacement during rotation of the arm and thedevice 830 correspondingly produces a greater restoring force component for the counter-balancing moment. The angle Φ decreases at a greater rate to attenuate the corresponding moment due to the greater restoring force. As a result, the decreasing moment of thearm 800 and/or the display screen 102 (FIG. 1 ) coupled thereto in orientations such as shown in Figures and 10 is matched by the attenuated moment created by the displacedbiasing device 830 and the angle Φ that decreases at a faster rate. Thesupport arm 100 is sized and shaped to provide a similar relation for angle Φ, in another example. - In another option, the
segment 856 of theflexible element 844 is coupled to themember 826A with astop 858 sized and shaped to engage with themember 826A and substantially prevent movement of thesegment 856 at thearm end location 852. As described above for thestop 320, optionally, thestop 858 includes, but is not limited to, a piece of plastic, metal and the like formed around theflexible element 844. In another option, thestop 858 includes a swaged portion of theflexible element 844 that presents a larger profile than theflexible element 844. In one example, theflexible element 844 is threaded through akeeper 860 with thestop 858 coupled to theelement 314. Thekeeper 860, in another example, is moveable along themember 826A, for instance along arail 862. In still another example, therail 862 includes a bolt, pin and the like sized and shaped to move along themember 826A and thereby move the arm end location 852 (e.g., the keeper 860). - The position of the
arm end location 852 relative to thesecond pulley 848 correspondingly changes the length of thesegment 856. Additionally, the position of thearm end location 852 relative to thesecond pulley 848 determines how the angle Φ changes in the predetermined manner to alter the restoring force of thesupport arm 800 during rotation. Movement of thearm end location 852 toward theproximal mount 828 correspondingly increases the angle Φ throughout the travel of thesupport arm 800. As a result, the component of the restoring force of thebiasing device 830 used to counterbalance the moment of thesupport arm 800 and/or thedisplay screen 102 increases. Additionally, movement of thearm end location 852 toward thedistal mount 806 increases the moment created by the restoring force because themoment arm 864 is correspondingly increased. Optionally, thearm end location 852 is chosen to optimize the component of the restoring force and themoment arm 864 that provide the moment to counterbalance the moment of thesupport arm 800 and/or thedisplay screen 102. -
FIG. 11 is a graph 1100 displaying the angle of a support arm, such assupport arm 800, compared with the angle of thesegment 856 relative to thefirst member 826A (i.e., angle Φ). Angle Φ increases as thesupport arm 800 approaches the 0 degree position where thesupport arm 800 and/or the display screen 102 (FIG. 1 ) provide the largest moment (SeeFIG. 9 ). The angle Φ reaches its peak at thesupport arm 800 position shown inFIG. 9 , the 0 degree position of thearm 800. At this position, the angle Φ allows thebiasing device 830 to apply the appropriate amount of restoring force as the component of counterbalancing moment to maintain thearm 800 in the desired position. As thesupport arm 800 is positioned beyond the position shown inFIG. 9 (i.e., negative angle measures) the angle Φ decreases at a faster rate. As described above, the angle Φ decreases at a faster rate to offset the continued displacement of thebiasing device 830 and corresponding increased restoring force component of the counter-balancing moment. The smaller angle Φ in the negative arm angles (e.g., the position shown inFIG. 10 ) ensures a smaller component of the increased restoring force is applied to thesupport arm 800. Because thesupport arm 800 and/or the display screen 102 (FIG. 1 ) create smaller moments at the negative arm angles, the attenuated component of the restoring force does not overbalance thesupport arm 800. In one example, the support arm 800 (e.g.,arm end location 852,linkage end location 854 and the like) is sized and shaped to ensure the angle Φ attenuates the moment created by thebiasing device 830 in a predetermined manner that closely offsets the moment of thesupport arm 800 and/or thedisplay screen 102. -
FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating amethod 1200 for making a support arm. Examples of a support arm (i.e., supportarms 100, 800) is shown inFIGS. 1-4 and 8-10. Reference is made to thesupport arm 100 below. In another example, themethod 1200 applies to thesupport arm 800. At 1202, aflexible element 314 is coupled between a biasingdevice 306 and afirst member 302A. In one example, another portion of theflexible element 314 is coupled to asecond member 302B. Thesecond member 302B is adapted to correspondingly move with thefirst member 302A. Thefirst member 302A includes a pivot joint 307 around which thefirst member 302A rotates. Thebiasing device 306 includes, but is not limited to a compression spring, tension spring, elastomeric material and the like. Optionally, thebiasing device 306 includes springs and/or elastomeric material in combinations (e.g., in series, parallel, tension and compression springs, and the like). Thebiasing device 306 provides an increasing force with increasing displacement. In another option, afirst end 308 of thebiasing device 306 is coupled to thesecond member 302B. - At 1204, a linkage is moveably coupled along the flexible element between
first member 302A and thebiasing device 306. At least a portion of theflexible element 314 forms asegment 315 between thefirst member 302A and the linkage and thesegment 315 is at an angle relative to thefirst member 302A (e.g., angle Φ). The angle varies during rotation of thefirst member 302A. Anarm end location 318 is fixed in relation to thefirst member 302A during rotation and alinkage end location 319 of thesegment 315 changes in relation to the pivot joint 307 during rotation. In one example, the linkage includes at least onepulley 316 moveably coupled along theflexible element 314. The at least onepulley 316 is coupled to thesecond member 302B, in another example. In yet another example, the linkage includes cams, levers and the like adapted to assist in positioning thesupport arm 100 in a desired orientation. - Optionally, the
support arm 100 includes anadditional pulley 312 coupled between the biasingdevice 306 and theflexible element 314. Theadditional pulley 312 is moveably coupled to theflexible element 314 so thepulley 312 is in rolling communication with theflexible element 314. - Using embodiments described above, a number of advantages are realized. One advantage includes a support arm that provides a moment that closely counterbalances the moment of the support arm and/or a display screen throughout the range of motion of the support arm. Because the support arm closely counterbalances the moment of the arm and/or the display screen, the arm remains in a desired orientation anywhere along the range of motion of the arm. Additionally, because the angle Φ decreases at a higher rate after at least passing the point of maximum moment of the support arm and/or the display screen (e.g., 0 degrees) the support arm attenuates the increased restoring force of the biasing device and closely matches the decreased moment of the support arm and display screen. Moreover, because the biasing device and the linkage (e.g., the flexible element) extend along the support arm members the support arm provides a narrow profile that takes up less space while retaining the support arm and/or the display screen in a desired orientation.
- Although selected advantages are detailed above, the list is not intended to be exhaustive. Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that any arrangement which is calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiment shown. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the present invention. It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the invention includes any other applications in which the above structures and fabrication methods are used.
Claims (29)
1. A support arm, comprising:
an arm having a proximal arm pivot joint to provide a range of elevational rotation of the arm, and a distal component mount;
a biasing device sized and shaped to provide an increasing force with increasing displacement;
a flexible element coupled between the biasing device and the arm with a linkage between the arm and the biasing device wherein at least a portion of the flexible element forms a segment between the arm and the linkage and the segment is at an angle relative to the arm, wherein the angle varies during rotation of the arm; and
wherein an arm end location of the segment is fixed in relation to the arm during rotation of the arm, and a linkage end location of the segment change in relation to the pivot joint during rotation of the arm.
2. The support arm of claim 1 , wherein the linkage includes at least one pulley.
3. The support arm of claim 1 , wherein the arm includes a four bar linkage.
4. The support arm of claim 3 , wherein the four bar linkage includes a second arm sized and shaped to correspondingly rotate with the arm, and another portion of the flexible element is coupled to the second arm.
5. The support arm of claim 1 , wherein the flexible element includes a metal cable.
6. The support arm of claim 1 , wherein the biasing device includes a tension spring.
7. The support arm of claim 1 , wherein the biasing device includes a compression spring.
8. The support arm of claim 1 , wherein the angle of the segment changes during rotation of the arm and the angle of the segment adjusts a moment applied to the arm by the biasing device throughout the range of elevational rotation of the arm.
9. The support arm of claim 1 , wherein the biasing device is progressively displaced throughout the range of motion of the arm, and the angle of the segment changes at a higher rate at least when the arm rotates below horizontal to adjust a moment applied to the arm by the progressively displaced biasing device.
10. The support arm of claim 1 , further comprising an additional pulley coupled with the biasing device to double displacement of the flexible element in relation to displacement of the biasing device.
11. A support arm, comprising:
a four bar parallelogram linkage arm having a proximal arm pivot end to provide a range of elevational rotation of the arm, and a distal component mount;
a spring coupled to an upper member of the four bar linkage parallelogram;
a flexible element coupled between a bottom member of the four bar parallelogram linkage arm and the spring with a pulley between the bottom member and the spring wherein at least a portion of the flexible element forms a segment between the bottom member and the pulley, and the segment is at an angle relative to the bottom member, wherein the angle varies during rotation of the arm; and
wherein an arm end of the segment is fixed in relation to the bottom member during rotation of the arm, and a tangent location of a pulley end of the segment changes in relation to the pivot end of the arm during rotation of the arm.
12. The support arm of claim 11 , wherein the flexible element includes a metal cable.
13. The support arm of claim 11 , wherein the arm end of the segment can be adjusted within a range of locations along the bottom member to a plurality of locations, wherein a selected location in the range remains fixed in relation to the bottom member during rotation of the arm.
14. The support arm of claim 11 , wherein the angle varies during rotation of the arm between around 90 and −90 degrees.
15. The support arm of claim 11 , further including an additional pulley coupled to the spring to double flexible element displacement in relation to spring displacement.
16. The support arm of claim 11 , wherein the spring includes a compression spring.
17. The support arm of claim 11 , wherein the spring is progressively displaced throughout the range of motion of the arm, and the angle of the segment changes at a higher rate at least when the arm rotates below horizontal to adjust a moment applied to the arm by the progressively displaced spring.
18. A system, comprising:
a wheeled chassis;
a support arm coupled to the wheeled chassis, the support arm including:
an arm having a proximal arm pivot joint to provide a range of elevational rotation of the arm, and a distal component mount;
a spring;
a flexible element coupled between the arm and the spring with at least one pulley between the arm and the spring wherein at least a portion of the flexible element forms a segment between the arm and the at least one pulley, and the segment is at an angle relative to the arm, wherein the angle varies during rotation of the arm;
wherein an arm end of the segment is fixed in relation to the arm during rotation of the arm, and a tangent location of a pulley end of the segment changes in relation to the pivot end of the arm during rotation of the arm;
a display screen coupled to the distal component mount; and
a processor unit in communication with the display screen.
19. The system of claim 18 , wherein the arm includes a four bar linkage arm.
20. The system of claim 18 , wherein the spring includes a compression spring.
21. The system of claim 18 , further comprising an additional pulley coupled to the spring, and the additional pulley and the at least one pulley are adapted to double cable displacement in relation to spring displacement.
22. The system of claim 18 , wherein the display screen includes a flat panel computer monitor.
23. The system of claim 18 , wherein the processor unit is located adjacent to the wheeled chassis.
24. A method for making a support arm comprising:
coupling a flexible element between a biasing device and a first member, and the first member includes a pivot joint, and the biasing device provides an increasing force with increasing displacement; and
moveably coupling a linkage along the flexible element, and the linkage is between the first member and the biasing device, and at least a portion of the flexible element forms a segment between the first member and the linkage and the segment is at an angle relative to the first member, wherein the angle varies during rotation of the first member, and an arm end location of the segment is fixed in relation to the first member during rotation, and a linkage end location of the segment changes in relation to the pivot joint during rotation.
25. The method of claim 24 , wherein moveably coupling the linkage along the flexible element includes moveably coupling at least one pulley along the flexible element.
26. The method of claim 25 , further comprising coupling the at least one pulley to a second member, wherein the second member is adapted to correspondingly move with the first member.
27. The method of claim 25 , further comprising coupling an additional pulley between the biasing device and the flexible element, and the additional pulley is moveably coupled to the flexible element.
28. The method of claim 24 , further comprising coupling another portion of the flexible element to a second member, wherein the second member is adapted to correspondingly move with the first member.
29. The method of claim 24 , further comprising coupling a portion of the biasing device to a second member, wherein the second member is adapted to correspondingly move with the first member.
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US11/170,778 US20070001076A1 (en) | 2005-06-29 | 2005-06-29 | Support arm and method with variable counterbalance |
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