Suspension system for video monitor or other equipment
AssigneeErgotron, Inc.
InventorsHarry C. Sweere, Donald M. Voeller, Fredrick D. Wucherpfenning
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A suspension system having a four bar linkage system including an angled arm for adjustable and positionable vertical and horizontal support of a video monitor or the like. A weight counterbalance adjustment mechanism adjustably compensates for various weights of a load held by the angled arm. Gas springs provide for vertical support of the angled arm. Configured slots in which the upper ends of the gas springs position provide for minimal manual positioning effort and a linear counterbalance throughout the entire range of vertical adjustment. An arm bent at an angle of 120.degree. overcomes the traditional interference of the load with movement of the arm beyond 45.degree..
Claims40
A suspension system used to support a video monitor or other equipment, comprising:
- a. a major bracket;
- b. a minor bracket;
- c. a four bar linkage system connecting said minor bracket to said major bracket, said four bar linkage system comprising:
- (1) an angled arm composed of a straight first bar joined to a straight second bar by a curved intermediate portion, said first bar being pivotally attached to said minor bracket and said second bar being pivotally attached to said major bracket;
- (2) a third bar located above said angled arm and having one end pivotally attached to said minor bracket and the other end pivotally attached to said angled arm at said curved intermediate portion;
- and
- (3) a fourth bar located above said angled arm and having one end pivotally attached to said major bracket and the other end pivotally attached to said angled arm at said curved intermediate portion;
- and,
- d. a weight counterbalance assembly that is disposed beneath said four bar linkage system, thereby to allow said four bar linkage system to be of a low height profile.
A suspension system used to support a video monitor or other equipment and provide for easy adjustment of its vertical position, comprising:
- a. a major bracket;
- b. a minor bracket;
- c. a four bar linkage system that is of a low height profile, thereby taking up a minimum of vertical space, comprising:
- (1) an angled arm with inner and outer straight portions joined by a curved portion and pivotally attached to said major bracket and said minor bracket;
- (2) an inboard control linkage rod pivotally connected to said major bracket and to a center link on said curved portion;
- and,
- (3) an outboard control linkage rod pivotally connected to said center link and said minor bracket;
- and,
- d. a weight counterbalance assembly that is not contained within said four bar linkage system, thereby allowing said four bar linkage system to be of said low height profile, comprising:
- (1) at least one gas spring with one end of said gas spring pivotally connected to a configured nut and the opposite end pivotally connected to said major bracket;
- (2) a plate attached to said inner straight portion of said angled arm, said plate having a slot therein and said configured nut carrying a pivot pin which slidingly engages said slot;
- and,
- (3) a threaded adjustment rod that engages said configured nut and provides for positioning of said pivot pin carried by said configured nut along said slot in said plate.
A suspension system used to support a video monitor or other equipment and provide for easy adjustment of its vertical position, comprising:
- a. a major bracket;
- b. a minor bracket;
- c. a four bar linkage system that is of a low height profile, thereby taking up a minimum of vertical space, comprising:
- (1) an angled arm with inner and outer straight portions joined by a curved portion and pivotally attached to said major bracket and said minor bracket;
- (2) an inboard control linkage rod pivotally connected to said major bracket and to a center link on said curved portion;
- and,
- (3) an outboard control linkage rod pivotally connected to said center link and said minor bracket;
- and,
- d. a weight counterbalance assembly comprising:
- (1) at least one gas spring with one end of said gas spring pivotally connected to a configured nut and the opposite end pivotally connected to said major bracket;
- (2) a plate attached to said inner straight portion of said angled arm, said plate having an arced slot therein and said configured nut carrying a pivot pin which slidingly engages said arced slot in order to provide linear counterbalance force throughout the entire range of vertical adjustment;
- and,
- (3) a threaded adjustment rod that engages said configured nut and provides for positioning of said pivot pin carried by said configured nut along said arced slot in said plate.
A suspension system used to support a video monitor or other equipment and provide for easy adjustment of its vertical position, comprising:
- a. a major bracket;
- b. a minor bracket;
- c. a four bar linkage system that is of a low height profile, thereby taking up a minimum of vertical space, comprising:
- (1) an angled arm with inner and outer straight portions joined by a curved portion and pivotally attached to said major bracket and said minor bracket;
- (2) an inboard control linkage rod pivotally connected to said major bracket and to a center link on said curved portion;
- and,
- (3) an outboard control linkage rod pivotally connected to said center link and said minor bracket;
- and,
- d. a weight counterbalance assembly that is not contained within said four bar linkage system, thereby allowing said four bar linkage system to be of said low height profile, comprising:
- (1) at least one gas spring with one end of said gas spring pivotally connected to a configured nut and the opposite end pivotally connected to said major bracket;
- (2) a plate attached to said inner straight portion of said angled arm said plate having an arced slot therein and said configured nut carrying a pivot pin which slidingly engages said arced slot in order to provide linear counterbalance force throughout the entire range of vertical adjustment;
- and,
- (3) a threaded adjustment rod that engages said configured nut and provides for positioning of said pivot pin carried by said configured nut along said arced slot in said plate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.