Articulating monitor arm with cable and spring

An arm for supporting an electronic device, the arm comprising:

• a base portion having a support mount for securing the base portion to a support surface;
• an articulating portion having a first end, a second end, a top surface, and a range of angular positions, the first end being connected to a first endcap and being rotatable about a first pivot axis, the second end being connected to a second endcap, the range of angular positions comprising a positive range wherein the slope of a line drawn along the top surface from the first end to the second end has a positive value, a horizontal angular position wherein the slope of the line has a value of zero, a negative range wherein the slope of the line has a negative value, a maximum positive angular position, a maximum negative angular position, and a negative rotational direction, the articulating arm being configured to maintain a substantially constant relative rotational position between the first endcap and the second endcap throughout the range of angular positions;
• a cable having first and second connection points, the first connection point being located within the articulating portion, the second connection point being external to the articulating portion;
• a force-supplying component connected to the first or second connection point, the force-supplying component exerting a restorative force through the cable so that a supporting force is exerted on the articulating portion, the supporting force acting to oppose rotation of the second end of the articulating portion in the negative rotational direction;
• and
• a bearing surface having a profile, the bearing surface being positioned to maintain contact with the cable throughout the range of angular positions;
• wherein the cable further comprises a unit pull defined as the distance that the cable moves relative to the force-supplying component when the articulating portion is rotated from the maximum positive angular position to the maximum negative angular position;
• wherein the profile is shaped so that less than half of the unit pull occurs when the articulating portion is rotated from the maximum positive angular position to the horizontal angular position and more than half of the unit pull occurs when the articulating portion is rotated from the horizontal angular position to the maximum negative angular position.

An arm for supporting an electronic device, the arm comprising:

• a base portion having a support mount for securing the base portion to a support surface;
• an articulating portion having a first end, a second end, a top surface, and a range of angular positions, the first end being connected to a first endcap and being rotatable about a first pivot axis, the second end being connected to a second endcap, the range of angular positions comprising a positive range wherein the slope of a line drawn along the top surface from the first end to the second end has a positive value, a horizontal angular position wherein the slope of the line has a value of zero, a negative range wherein the slope of the line has a negative value, a maximum positive angular position, a maximum negative angular position, and a negative rotational direction, the articulating arm being configured to maintain a substantially constant relative rotational position between the first endcap and the second endcap throughout the range of angular positions;
• a cable having first and second connection points, the first connection point being located within the articulating portion, the second connection point being external to the articulating portion;
• a force-supplying component connected to the first or second connection point, the force-supplying component exerting a restorative force through the cable so that a supporting force is exerted on the articulating portion, the supporting force acting to oppose rotation of the second end of the articulating portion in the negative rotational direction;
• a bearing surface having a profile, the bearing surface being positioned to maintain contact with the cable throughout the range of angular positions, the bearing surface being part of a pivoting member that rotates with the articulating portion and about the first pivot axis, the profile being shaped so that the supporting force increases as the articulating portion is rotated from the maximum positive angular position to the horizontal angular position and decreases as the articulating portion is rotated from the horizontal angular position to the maximum negative angular position;
• and
• an adjustable clevis adapted to change the supporting force exerted on the articulating portion by the cable throughout the range of angular positions.