DE20007599U1 - Flexible carrying device for communication devices, in particular monitors and computers - Google Patents

Description

NEYMEYER & PARTNER GbR, Patent Attorneys · Il II II,, \ ', ', 7$052 VUlingen-Schwenningen (DE)

MN/mn · .· · ·· · 1 Il I May 2, 2000

Applicant ref.: H 265

Applicant: hsb.OHG Intelligent Network Service OHG, Dürrheimer Straße 38
78166 Donaueschingen
Applicant No.:

Designation: Flexible support for communication equipment, especially monitors and computers

Description

The invention relates to a device for the suspended mounting of a communication device, in particular a PC monitor and/or a computer.

Today, computers are increasingly used in the home. This means that many innovations have been introduced that allow such use not only at a specially designed workstation, but also in other rooms, such as the kitchen, bathroom or living room.

In this context, for example, the company CMI (Internet address:

http://www.cmiworldwide.com/icebox.html) a device has become known which favours PC use especially for the kitchen. The actual PC case is mounted underneath a wall cupboard. On this PC

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NeyMEYER & PARTNER GbR, Patent Attorneys J &Idigr; *..J « J !***,·! * * 7«052 VOlingen-Schweiuüngen (DE) MN/mn ·..· ,“· V·*...* *..*'.." O2.May2OOO

A communications device in the form of a PC monitor is housed in the housing as a flat screen that can be swiveled around a horizontal axis that runs essentially parallel to the wall cupboard. To use this computer, this flat screen is swiveled from a horizontal position below the housing to a vertical position and can be operated in this way. This screen is designed as a so-called touchscreen, so that the entire PC can be operated without a keyboard. This "kitchen computer" is intended in particular for complete kitchen management and accordingly has an e-mail connection, Internet connection, TV tuner and playback options for audio and video CDs. However, it has been shown that due to the rigid arrangement below a wall cupboard in the kitchen, operation is not sufficiently convenient. Since this "kitchen PC" is also intended in particular for Internet orders, for example for food, the PC should actually be located in the immediate vicinity of the refrigerator. However, since the stove and other electrical appliances in the kitchen are often also located in this area, contamination by grease and the like cannot be ruled out. For the electronic unit, which must be well ventilated, this means that defects can be expected after longer periods of operation. In addition, contamination

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NeymeyeR & PARTNER GbR, patent attorneys J I * , . I , * ···* · · · 7jo52 Villingen-Schwenningen (DE)

MN/mn ·..· ..* *».·,..* ·,.*·.,* May 2, 2000

of the screen is unavoidable, since, for example, when not in use, the screen surface is directed vertically downwards when the screen is closed and arranged horizontally below the PC case.

Accordingly, the invention is based on the object of designing a device for mounting a communication device, in particular a PC monitor or also the complete computer including screen, in such a way that at least the monitor can be arranged variably, for example in the kitchen.

The object is achieved according to the invention in that a profile rail is provided with a longitudinally displaceable mounting plate in which a mounting pin provided with a holding device for the communication device is rotatably mounted, and

that the mounting pin is provided with a manually operated braking device by means of which the mounting plate can be locked on the profile rail in different positions.

The inventive design of the device enables extremely variable use of a PC monitor or even the entire computer including the monitor, which can be integrated in the computer housing. For this purpose, a profile rail is provided according to the invention,

H265.doc

NEVMEYER & PARTNER GbR, Patent Attorneys J **···· &iacgr;&idigr;^#**»·&iacgr; J* 78052 Villiiigen-Schwenningen (DE)

MN/mn *«.* ,»* *··*««.* *··**..** May 2, 2000

in which a longitudinally movable mounting plate is mounted. This mounting plate in turn has a mounting pin which is rotatably received in the mounting plate. The mounting pin in turn has a holding device for the communication device which can be rotated together with the mounting pin relative to the mounting plate and thus relative to the profile rail. This rotatable mounting of the mounting pin makes it easy to bring the communication device into any desired position with regard to a vertical alignment, so that its operation is considerably simplified. In order to ensure that a touchscreen can also be safely operated via finger pressure in the desired vertical position

IS can be operated, a braking device is also provided according to claim 1, which is assigned to the mounting pin. This braking device allows the mounting plate to be locked in different positions on the profile rail, so that it cannot be accidentally moved in the profile rail when a finger is pressed on the PC monitor.

This means that the communication device can be moved variably, for example along a base cabinet, due to the variable fastening via the profile rail, the mounting plate and the mounting pin. Furthermore, by rotating it around an essentially vertically

NEYMEYER & PARTNER GbR, Patent Attorneys J &iacgr; *.. &Idigr; . J ****». J JJ 78052 Villingen-Schwenningen (DE)

MN/mn *.·* a' *i·*·».* *·»**«*" May 2, 2000

The screen can also be aligned along the axis of the mounting pin in such a way that it is only slightly or not at all exposed to any kind of dirt, for example from grease splashes or similar. To do this, the PC monitor is, for example, directed with its screen surface against a side wall next to the base cabinets and moved towards the wall with the mounting plate so that the front of the PC monitor is protected from dirt.

According to claim 2, a brake plate is provided as the braking device, which is arranged coaxially to the mounting pin. This brake plate can also be pressed against the underside of the profile rail via a manually operated eccentric gear to lock the mounting plate. Due to this design according to claim 2, an extremely small size of the braking device is achieved, whereby sufficiently large braking forces can be applied by the manually operated eccentric gear provided, so that the mounting plate is securely fixed to the underside of the profile rail by friction when the eccentric gear is operated in its braking position.

According to claim 3, the eccentric gear consists of a press piston which can be moved axially via a bearing bore on the mounting pin, in which an eccentric shaft running approximately radially to the mounting pin is inserted in an eccentric bore.

NEYMEYER & PARTNER GBR, Patent Attorneys J I '..&Idigr; . t !***». JJ' 78052 Villingen-Schwenningen (DE)

MN/mn '»,· _a4 * ****»»,* *#***.»* May 2, 2000

The eccentric shaft has an adjusting pin which engages in a transverse groove in the mounting pin to axially adjust the press piston and thus to exert a braking force on the brake plate. When the eccentric shaft is rotated, the eccentric shaft together with the press piston is moved axially relative to the mounting pin due to the engagement of the axially fixed adjusting pin in the transverse groove of the mounting pin, so that during an upward movement the brake plate is pressed against the underside of the profile rail by the press piston. The mounting plate can thus be securely locked by the eccentric gear via the brake plate, since both the brake plate and the brake piston engage with the mounting pin via a corresponding hole and the mounting pin is in turn positively mounted in the mounting plate.

According to claim 4, a spring element is provided between the press piston and the brake plate, through which the axially acting braking forces are transmitted from the press piston to the brake plate. Through this spring element provided between the press piston and the brake plate, the maximum braking force during the axial stroke of the press piston on the brake plate can be limited to a maximum value, which depends essentially on the total stroke of the press piston and on the spring rate of the spring element.

NEYMEYER & PARTNER GBR, patent attorneys J &iacgr;',.&idigr;.&iacgr; ···* » ·* 780S2 VilUngen-Schweimingen (DE) MN/mn *..' ..· *»**„.* **»***&idigr;* O2.May2OOO

This reliably prevents excessive braking forces from coming into effect, particularly between the brake plate and the underside of the profile rail, so that it is absolutely impossible for the profile rail to be damaged when the brake plate is locked.

According to claim 5, a separate bearing bush is provided for the rotatable mounting of the eccentric shaft, which can be designed in particular in the form of a needle bearing. Instead of a needle bearing, a bronze bush or the like can also be provided to form a plain bearing. Due to the special mounting in a needle bearing, the eccentric shaft in particular can be made of a light metal, in particular aluminum, so that the total weight of the device according to the invention can be kept low. The press piston can also be made of aluminum accordingly.

According to claim 6, the bearing bush extends radially into the bearing bore of the press piston and, in conjunction with a stop surface of the mounting pin, serves as a rotationally fixed connection between the press piston and the mounting pin. This connection can be provided with a small amount of play. The design according to claim 6 ensures that when the communication device is rotated together with the holding device mounted on the bearing pin, the bearing bush also rotates.

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NEYMEYER & Partner GbR, patent attorneys j J *. ₄ &iacgr; , J &idigr;***».* ** 7w52 VilUngen-Schiveiuiiiigen (DE)

MN/mn *..' -..* **»*.·»»* *»»**««■* May 2, 2000

pin together with the plunger and the eccentric shaft. This means that the eccentric shaft is always oriented the same relative to the communication device and is therefore always easily accessible from the front of the communication device and can therefore be operated in a simple manner.

For easy operation of the eccentric shaft, according to claim 7, it is provided with a manually operable adjusting lever arranged approximately at right angles to the axis of rotation of the eccentric shaft. This design according to the invention is extremely cost-effective and, on the other hand, extremely simple to manufacture in terms of construction.

According to claim 8, the eccentric shaft has a circumferential groove, in which a locking pin protruding into the eccentric bore of the press piston engages when assembled. This locking pin, in conjunction with the groove of the eccentric shaft, ensures that the shaft is held captive in the eccentric bore when assembled. This design also makes it extremely easy to assemble and disassemble the eccentric shaft in the press piston, particularly when the locking pin is screwed into a corresponding threaded bore in the press piston that runs radially to the eccentric bore. By simply unscrewing the locking pin, it can be aligned with the groove of the eccentric shaft.

NEYMEYER & PARTNER GbR, Patent Attorneys J I ' ,. I _k I i *·*».* ** ⁷ ^ ⁰⁵² Viuingen-Schwenningen (DE)

MN/mn *..* »»* *»**”.* *****.;* 02nd time 2000

The eccentric shaft can be easily pulled out of the eccentric bore for disassembly.

According to claim 9, a stop pin is provided in the groove of the eccentric shaft, which, in conjunction with the locking pin, at least determines the braking position of the eccentric shaft. In this braking position, the adjusting pin is rotated a few degrees beyond its maximum stroke, i.e. beyond its "dead center", so that the eccentric shaft is locked in its braking position due to the spring forces of the spring element and cannot come loose on its own.

According to claim 10, the communication device is pivotally mounted on a bearing axis of the holding device which runs essentially transversely to the mounting pin.

This inventive design according to claim 10 allows the communication device to be adjusted to different body sizes of the respective operating personnel by pivoting it around a substantially horizontal axis. In order to ensure that the set pivot position is not accidentally changed, particularly if the communication device is a so-called touch screen, at least one locking device is provided on the bearing axis for the communication device according to claim 11.

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NEYMEYER & PARTNER GbR, Patent Attorneys J **..!* J &idigr;*** * ** ⁷ Φ ⁵ 2 VUUngen-Schwenningen (DE)

MN/mn *».' ü* **»*,»»* *«»*·«-* May 2, 2000

This locking device is preferably formed by a spring-loaded friction lining, the friction resistance of which can be adjusted in such a way that the communication device can still be manually pivoted about the bearing axis on the one hand and is fixed in the desired pivot position on the other. This design ensures extremely simple and safe operation of the communication device.

According to claim 12, the holding device can be formed by an approximately U-shaped holding bracket mounted on the underside of the bearing pin. The two U-legs of this holding bracket run laterally next to the communication device, with the communication device being pivotably attached to the free ends of the U-legs. IS It goes without saying that in this case the pivot bearing is provided on one or both sides with a corresponding locking device according to claim 11. The design according to claim 12 ensures extremely simple, safe and stable installation of the communication device, so that communication devices, e.g. in the form of a complete PC housing equipped with an integrated monitor, can also be accommodated safely and stably.

Claim 13 claims an alternative to claim 12. According to claim 13, the holding device

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NEYMEYER & PARTNER GBR, Patent Attorneys J £*..*. JJ *'**» - ** ⁷ «* ⁵² Villingen-Schwenniiigen (DE)

MN/mn *»»* «' *♦·*.·#* *.♦**«-«* May 2, 2000

The device is formed from a holding plate that is bent several times and to the lower end of which the communication device is pivotably attached to the rear. This holding device according to claim 13 also ensures that the communication device is held securely. In order to mount the communication device on its rear side, the holding device has a corresponding bearing axis with correspondingly rotatably mounted mounting flanges, which can be firmly attached to the rear of the communication device, for example by screwing.

Overall, the inventive design of the device for hanging installation of a communication device provides a device with which a PC monitor and/or a complete computer equipped with a monitor can be variably adjusted on the underside of a wall cabinet of a kitchen unit, for example, and can be brought into any position underneath the wall cabinet. The special designs of the subclaims result in an extremely cost-effective and stable device, with the special braking and locking devices allowing the communication device to be locked in place in the selected working position. It should also be mentioned at this point that the braking device for locking the mounting plate in the profile rail is designed in such a way that the maximum force that can be applied

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NeyMEYER & PARTNER GbR, Patent Attorneys MN/mn

..* . &idigr; ··»· » · · 78»52 Villingeii-Sthivemiiiigeii (DE) * * »._* May 2, 2000

braking forces are selected in such a way, in particular if a spring element is provided between the plunger and the brake plate according to claim 4, that the mounting plate with the mounting pin is securely held immovably on the profile rail, while the bearing pin can still be rotated relative to the mounting plate, so that the communication device remains stationary,
but variable in different vertical positions by rotating around the vertical axis of rotation of the mounting pin
can be set.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing. It shows:

Fig. 1 is a perspective exploded view of a device for mounting a communication device, at the lower end of which a holding device can be mounted;

Fig. 2 a holding device in the form of a holding plate together with a lower end of the
retaining plate with firmly mounted bearing axle;

Fig. 3 shows the lower end section of the retaining plate from Fig. 2 with mounted bearing axis and mounted flat screen in partial section;

H265.doc

Neymeyer & Partner GbR, Patent Attorneys MN/mn

JI*.,J ₄ * * **% * · · 7S&52 ViUingen-Schwenningen (DE) %** *i* "'♦»*.,.* * *»»**,.* May 2, 2000

Fig. 4 the components from Fig. 1 in the fully assembled state;

Fig. 5 an eccentric shaft in braking position;

Fig. 6 the eccentric shaft from Fig. 5 in the released angular position;

Fig. 7 shows an embodiment of the device according to the invention, in which a U-shaped retaining bracket is provided as the holding device;

Fig. 8 shows an enlarged section VIII of Fig. 7 in section;

Fig. 8a is a view X from Fig. 8.

Fig. 1 shows a perspective exploded view of a device 1 according to the invention, to which a holding device 2 from Fig. 2 can be attached for hanging installation of a communication device. The device 1 consists of a profile rail 3, which is approximately C-shaped and can be screwed firmly to the underside of a wall cupboard in a kitchen, for example, via corresponding mounting holes 4. A mounting plate 5 can be inserted into this profile rail 3, which is provided with corresponding sliding surfaces 6 and 7 in its two lower edge areas. These sliding surfaces 8 and 9 are in the

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NEYMEYER & PARTNERS GbR, Patent attorneys • · * · · « « « '■φ - MN/mn * · « " 14 • - Page

·♦« * * ⁷⁸ ^ ^>52 ViUingen-Schwenningen (DE) * **.**»&idigr;* 02.May2000

In the inserted state, it rests on the upper side of the lower, inwardly directed receiving webs 10 and 11 of the profile rail 3, so that the mounting plate 5 can be freely moved in the axial direction along the profile rail 3.

At this point it should be noted that the profile rail 3 can be combined with other profile rails, which are not shown in the drawing, to form different total lengths. In order to prevent the mounting plate 5 with its sliding surfaces 8 and 9 from tilting in the connection area between two profile rails, the profile rail 3, as can be seen from Fig. 1, has a V-shaped recess 12 in its rear end area, into which a correspondingly shaped end of another profile rail fits to extend it. This V-shaped recess 12 results in slanted edge areas 13 and 14 of the receiving webs 10 and 11, so that tilting or bumping of the sliding surfaces 8 and 9 of the mounting plate 5 when driving over the joint between two profile rails is largely prevented.

As can be seen from Fig. 1, the mounting plate 5 has a central receiving hole 15 through which a mounting pin 16 can be inserted from top to bottom. To fix the mounting pin 16 axially in the axial direction, the mounting pin 16 is

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NEYMEYER & PARTNER GbR, patent attorneys ; &idigr;*..&idigr; « J ··*· » · * 78Ö52 Vülingen-Schwenningen (DE)

upper end with a circular, radially projecting limiting plate 17 in the present embodiment, with which the mounting pin 16 rests flat on the surface 18 of the mounting plate 5 in the mounted state.

For the defined mounting of the mounting pin 16 in the receiving bore 15, a metallic guide bush 19 is provided in the present embodiment, which in the mounted state is preferably pressed onto the upper end region immediately below the limiting plate 17 on the mounting pin 16, as can be seen by way of example in Fig. 4.

In the assembled state, a brake plate 20, two disc springs 21 and 22 and a press piston 23 can be pushed onto this guide bush 19 from the underside of the mounting plate 5. Accordingly, the brake plate 20 has a central through-hole 24 with which it is pushed onto the guide bush 19 with a small amount of play. To cover the two disc springs 21 and 22, the brake plate 20 is provided with a circumferential web wall 25 directed axially towards the press piston 23. The two disc springs 21 and 22 are also provided with a central opening 26 and 27 and, in the assembled state, are accommodated coaxially to the brake plate 20 in its circumferential web wall 25.

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NEYMEYER & PARTNER GbR, Patent Attorneys t *- * * ·*·· · · · 78QS2 VUIingen-Schwenningen (DE)

MN/mn .**..* *.,'..** *.,*· « 02nd time 2000

The press piston 23 has a central, offset through-bore 28, the upper end section 29 of which is radially expanded. The diameter of this end section 29 is adapted to the external dimensions of the guide bush 19, so that in the assembled state the guide bush 19 projects into the upper end section 29 of the through-bore 28 with only a small amount of play. The axial depth of the upper end section 29 is selected so that it is ensured that an adjusting movement of the press piston 23 in the direction of the two disc springs 22 is not hindered. The guide section 30 of the through-bore 28 which adjoins downwards is adapted in its diameter to the external dimensions of the mounting pin 16, so that the latter is guided axially movably in the guide section 30 with a small amount of play.

In the area of the guide section 30, as can be seen from Fig. 1, a second eccentric bore 31 is arranged, which serves to accommodate a bearing bush designed as a needle bearing 32. Instead of the needle bearing, a sliding bush can also be provided to form a sliding bearing. The eccentric bore 31 runs essentially at a right angle to the through hole 28 and has two radially inwardly directed stop webs 33 and 34 in the area of its inner end, by means of which the pressing depth of the preferably in the eccentric bore

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NeymEYER & PARTNER GbR, patent attorneys J J *. ' * · ··· · * · 78052 VilUngen-Sdiwenningen (DE)

MN/mn ·.,» “.· ·.,*.,”· * ** · May 2, 2000

31 pressed-in needle bearing 32. This ensures that the needle bearing 32 assumes a defined position in the eccentric bore 31.

The needle bearing 32 serves to accommodate an eccentric shaft 35, which is provided on its inner end face 36 with an adjusting pin 38 arranged eccentrically to the axis of rotation 37 of the eccentric shaft 35. This adjusting pin 38 projects into a corresponding transverse groove in the assembled state

39 of the mounting pin 16. To reduce friction between the adjusting pin 38 and the transverse groove 39 when the eccentric shaft 35 is actuated, a bearing ring 40 is provided which can be placed rotatably on the adjusting pin 38. The diameter of this bearing ring 40 corresponds to the axial height h of the transverse groove 39, so that in the assembled state the adjusting pin 38 with its bearing ring

40 engages in the transverse groove 39 with almost no play and whose axial position relative to the mounting pin 16 is fixed.

Due to the positive engagement of the adjusting pin 38 with its bearing ring 40 with the transverse groove 39, when the eccentric shaft 35 is adjusted about its axis of rotation 37, the press piston 23 is moved axially relative to the mounting pin 16, so that with a corresponding upward movement of the press piston 23, the two disc springs 21 and 22 are compressed and thus a braking force is applied to the brake plate.

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NEYMEYER & PARTNER GbR, Patent Attorneys · ·· · · ···« « &iacgr;&idigr; 78flS2 Villingen-Schweiuiingen (DE) MN/um ·.,· .,* *..·.,,* · ·♦ · O2.May2OOO

te 20 is exerted. This braking force causes a frictional connection on the one hand between the brake plate 20 and the receiving webs 10 and 11 of the profile rail 3 and a frictional connection of the sliding surfaces 8 and 9 on the corresponding upper side of the two receiving webs 10 and 11, so that a firm hold of the mounting plate 5 in the profile rail 3 is achieved.

To actuate the eccentric shaft 35, the latter has an actuating lever 41 which is preferably screwed or pressed into a head part 42 of the eccentric shaft 35 which, in the assembled state, projects radially out of the press piston 23 and runs transversely to the axis of rotation 37 of the eccentric shaft 35.

In order to hold the eccentric shaft 35 in a rotatable but axially immovable manner, the latter is provided with a circumferential groove 43 into which a locking pin 44 of the press piston 23 engages with a small amount of play. In the present embodiment, this locking pin 44 is designed as a threaded pin and is accordingly screwed into a threaded bore 45 running radially to the eccentric bore 31.

In order to limit the rotating adjustment movement of the eccentric shaft 35, a stop pin 46 is also provided in the area of the groove 43 of the eccentric shaft 35, which at least on one side radially from the inside to the outside into the groove 43

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NE VME VER & Partner GbR, Patent Attorneys · · · « » ···· · Il 78&THgr;62 Viningen-Schwenningen (DE)

MN/inii ·..· **· * · · i ' J Il % O2.Mai2OOO

so that when a rotary adjustment movement is carried out
the eccentric shaft 35, the stop pin 46 together with the locking pin 44 in particular the braking position
the eccentric shaft 35. As will be explained below with reference to Fig. 5 and 6, it is provided that in this position the adjusting pin 38 with
its bearing ring 40 is moved slightly by a few degrees beyond its lower dead center, so that a defined braking position is fixed, from which the

Eccentric shaft 35 cannot release automatically.

For almost play-free mounting in the needle bearing 32, the eccentric shaft 35 has a corresponding cylindrical bearing seat 47 between its groove 43 and the adjusting pin 38, which is adapted to the inner dimensions of the needle bearing
32 so that an almost play-free bearing of the eccentric shaft 35 in the needle bearing 32 is achieved.

Fig. 2 shows an embodiment of the holding device 2, via which a communication device can be fixedly mounted on the mounting pin 16. The holding device

Device 2 essentially consists of a retaining plate 48,
which is bent several times. This retaining plate 48 has an upper, essentially horizontally extending mounting section 49, which in its front
End area is provided with two mounting holes 50.

The retaining plate 48 or 49 is mounted via these mounting holes.

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NEYMEYER & PARTNER GbR, Patent Attorneys » ·* · » ·»«» J &Zgr;% ⁷⁸ ä ^{52 Vinu} »g ^en -Schweniiingen (DE)

* *! i ' IJ

I J

MN/mn \ _&bgr; · , _# « · ,· t » »II May 2nd 2000

The mounting section 49 can be firmly screwed to the lower end of the mounting pin 16 via two mounting screws 51.

As can also be seen from Fig. 2, the outer end section 52 of the mounting section 49 is approximately semicircular and is provided with two laterally arranged, radially outward-facing stops 53 and 54. With this end section 52 and its stops 53 and 54, the mounting section 49 can be inserted in the assembled state into an axially downward-facing, approximately semicircular driving web 55 of the press piston, so that when the holding device 2 is pivoted, the press piston 23 is moved in a rotating manner uniformly with the holding device 2 together with the mounting pin 16. This rotationally fixed connection between the holding device 2 and the press piston 23 ensures that in particular the adjusting lever 41 of the eccentric shaft 35 is always aligned in the same direction with the holding device and thus also with a communication device mounted on the holding device. This has the particular advantage that, regardless of the rotational position of the holding device 2, the adjusting lever 41 of the eccentric shaft 35 is always optimally accessible.

Another possibility of rotating the press piston 23 when turning the mounting pin 16 is

NEYMEYER & PARTNER GbR, Patent Attorneys · !* * -· ····- ·

MN/mn .. ,. *..,·...· *..··..· May 2, 2000

This is achieved by the needle bearing 32 with its housing partially protruding into the guide section 30 of the through hole 28, as can be seen in particular from Fig. 4. In conjunction with a two-part stop surface 56 provided in the area of the transverse groove 39 of the mounting pin 16, the needle bearing 32 brings about a rotationally fixed but axially displaceable coupling between the press piston 23 and the mounting pin 16. This design also ensures that when the mounting pin is rotated and thus also a holding device 2 that may not be provided with a rotary connection to the press piston 23, the press piston 23 always rotates together with the mounting pin 16 and thus the alignment of the eccentric shaft 35 with its adjusting lever 41 relative to the holding device and thus relative to the communication device is maintained, whereby optimal operability is achieved.

As can be seen from Fig. 2, the retaining plate 48 has a connecting section 57 on its mounting section 49 in the rear area, which is angled downwards at approximately 30° to 45° to the rear, to which a retaining section 58 is connected downwards and directed forwards at approximately 10° to 15° to a vertical plane. At the lower end of the retaining section 58, a mounting section 59 is also provided, which is angled approximately horizontally, and which in the present case

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NEYMEYER & PARTNER GbR, Patent Attorneys J &Igr;'.,&Igr;,&Igr; &Sgr;***.. J ?&iacgr;&iacgr;>52 S/illingen-Schwenningen (DE) MN/mn *..* ,.* *«*»..· %.**..* O2.May2O0O

embodiment is provided with three through holes 60. Three mounting screws 61 can be inserted through these through holes 60 for the top-side mounting of a bearing axis 62.

S Accordingly, the bearing axis 62 has three threaded holes 64 in its central section 63. To simplify the assembly of the bearing axis 62, its central section is designed in the form of a web flattened on both sides, so that in particular its lower support surface 65 rests flat on the upper side of the assembly section 59 in the assembled state.

The bearing axis 62 is constructed longitudinally symmetrically, with a fully assembled mounting flange 66 visible on the right-hand side. As can be seen from Fig. 2, the bearing axis 62 has a bearing pin 67 or 68 with a tapered diameter on both sides, which are each arranged mirror-symmetrically to one another on the bearing axis 62.

A second mounting flange 69 can be fitted onto the left bearing pin 67 in Fig. 2. A sliding disk 72 is provided between the bearing eye 70 of the mounting flange 69 and a circumferential stop ring 71 formed by the bearing axis 62 at the inner end of the bearing pin 67, which prevents increased wear on the one hand of the mounting flange 69 and on the other hand of the mounting flange 69 when the mounting flange 69 is pivoted.

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NEYMEYER & PARTNER GbR, Patent Attorneys J &idigr;*.·&iacgr;".'&iacgr; J*** * "^*^ ⁵² ^&bull; ^Iun g ^en - ^Schwenni "g<^; n (DE)

MN/mn *,.* ..* *«&diams;*,.,· *,,**..* May 2, 2000

and on the other hand also the stop ring 71 is safely prevented.

On the outside, several disc springs 73 are provided, which can also be plugged onto the bearing pin 67. A friction lining 74, which is designed in the form of a friction disk, is provided as a locking device for fixing a respectively set pivot position of the mounting flange 69.

As can be seen from Fig. 2, the bearing pin 67 has two plane-parallel holding surfaces 76 and 77 in the area of its threaded section 75, with which the friction lining 74 can be brought into engagement in a fitting, positive-locking, rotationally fixed but axially displaceable manner. For this purpose, the central opening 78 of the friction lining 74 has corresponding stop surfaces 79 and 80 running parallel to one another, with which the friction lining 74 can be brought into engagement in a fitting, positive-locking manner with the holding surfaces 76 and 77 of the bearing pin 67.

A corresponding retaining nut 81 is provided for the firm mounting of the sliding disk 72, the mounting flange 69, the disc springs 73 and the friction lining 74, by means of which the disc springs 73 are pre-tensioned to achieve a braking effect. Due to this pre-tensioning of the disc springs 73, a certain braking effect is achieved by the friction lining, so that the mounting flange

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Neymeyer & PARTNER GbR, Patent Attorneys J *".···'* »***. · 1 J8052 VUlingen-Schwenningen (DE)

69 is fixed in a correspondingly selected pivot position relative to the axis of rotation 62.

Due to the provided disc springs 73, the braking force can be adjusted in such a way that a communication device mounted on the mounting flanges 66 and 69 can be pivoted about the bearing axis 62 on the one hand and is also securely locked in the set pivot position on the other.

In Fig. 3, the lower end section of the holding section 58 is shown in section together with the bearing axis 62 mounted on the mounting section 59. In this illustration, a communication device 82 can also be seen in phantom lines, which can be, for example, a flat screen, as is used in particular in IS computers. As can also be seen from Fig. 2, the two mounting flanges 66 and 69 each have two holding tabs 83 and 84, one above the other, arranged in a common plane, via which the mounting flanges 66 and 69 can be screwed to the communication device 82 from Fig. 3, for example. This is shown in particular in Fig. 3 for the mounting flange 66 with its holding tabs 83 in dashed lines.

Conventional mounting screws 85 are provided for fastening (also shown in dashed lines).

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NEYMEYER & PARTNER GbR, Patent Attorneys MN / mn

&bull; « · · , W · k «* ·
ft * 6 »·
d · 80S2 filling« n-Schwenningen (DE) 25 > · a .: ? &igr; -~ 02 May 2000 0 9 &diams; ·
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Fig. 3 clearly shows that due to the upwardly inclined rearward course of the holding section 58, pivoting of the communication device 82 about the bearing axis 62 in the direction of the double arrow 86 is possible, at least to a limited extent. This pivotability of the communication device 82 allows it to be easily adjusted, in particular, to different body sizes of operators.

Fig. 4 shows the components of the device according to the invention from Fig. 1 together with the upper end section of the holding device 2 from Fig. 2 in the assembled state. It can be seen that the profile rail 3 is firmly screwed on the underside via corresponding retaining screws 87 (only one visible in Fig. 4), for example to the bottom 88 of a wall cupboard of a kitchen unit (not shown in Fig. 4). As can also be seen from Fig. 4, the mounting plate 5 is pushed into the profile rail 3 and sits with its sliding surfaces 8 and 9 on the two receiving webs 10 and 11 of the profile rail 3 in a longitudinally displaceable manner. The guide bush 19 is pressed onto the mounting pin 16 in this assembled state, while the mounting pin 16 rests flat on the top of the mounting plate 5 with its limiting plate 17. Below the receiving webs 10 and 11, the brake plate 20 can be seen, in the circumferential

H265.doc

NEYMEYER & PARTNER GbR, Patent Attorneys MN/mn

* · S-V

* «78052 »illingen-Schweiningen (DE)

&bull; ■*■ · · ·

02 May 2000

The two disc springs 21 and 22 are accommodated in the web wall 25.

In the position shown, the press piston 23 is in its axially upwardly pushed braking position, so that the two disc springs 21 and 22 are under pre-tension and the brake plate 20 is pressed against the underside of the receiving webs 10 and 11 of the profile rail 3. The contact pressure by the disc springs 21 and

22 is selected such that the brake plate 20 is pressed immovably onto the underside of the support webs 10 and 11 of the profile rail 3 and is connected to it by friction. In this braking position, the upper disc spring 21 lies with its inner edge on the underside of the brake plate 20 and the lower disc spring 22 lies with its inner edge on the top of the brake piston

23, so that only low frictional forces are effective in these areas.

This special design ensures that both the brake piston 23 and the mounting pin 16 can still be manually rotated relative to the mounting plate 5 even when the brake piston 23 is locked in the braking position. In this regard, the mounting plate 5 also has corresponding sliding properties, so that only low frictional forces arise, in particular between the upper limiting plate 17 and the upper side 18 of the mounting plate 5.

H265.doc

NEYMEYER & PARTNER GbR, patent attorneys! &Igr;*...»&idigr; ****», i J7S»52JOIingen-Scliwenningen(DE)

MN/mn *.,* **' *»**,.»* *».«**■,.-.-■* 02nd time 2000

and manual turning of the mounting pin 16 is safely ensured even when the braking device is active.

Furthermore, it is clearly visible from Fig. 4 that the adjusting pin 38 with its bearing ring 40 fits into the transverse groove 39 of the mounting pin 16 and is thereby fixed in its axial position in the mounting pin 16. The mounting pin is arranged eccentrically to the axis of rotation 37 of the eccentric shaft 35 by the dimension E, so that when the eccentric shaft 35 rotates about the axis of rotation 37, the press piston 23 is moved downwards in the axial direction of the arrow 89 via the bearing seat 47 and the needle bearing, thus relaxing the two disc springs 21 and 22, which cancels the braking effect.

It is also apparent from Fig. 4 that the needle bearing 32 extends into the guide section 30 of the through hole 28 of the press piston 23 and is only a short distance from the two-part stop surface 56 of the mounting pin 16. This creates an at least approximately rotationally fixed but axially displaceable connection between the press piston 23 and the mounting pin 16, so that when the mounting pin 16 is rotated, the press piston 23 is inevitably rotated. This advantageously ensures that the eccentric shaft 35 with its head part and the adjusting lever 41 are also rotated.

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&bull; . .. &bull; * > a &diams; · i- Neymeyer & Partner GbR Patent Attorneys - Page 28 ¹ &diams; 4 &diams;
s · J ^J0S2^ MN/mn »« .-

is pivoted and thus always has the same, easily operable position relative to the communication device 82 mounted on the holding device 2 according to the embodiment of Fig. 3.

Furthermore, it is also apparent from Fig. 4 that in the illustrated braking position of the eccentric shaft 35, the stop pin 46, which can be seen in dashed lines, rests on the rear of the locking pin 44. The locking pin 44 accordingly projects into the circumferential groove 43 of the eccentric shaft 35, so that in the assembled position shown, the latter is guided axially immovably but rotatably by the locking pin 44.

The way in which the locking pin 44 works in conjunction with the stop pin 46 can be seen in particular in Fig. 5 and 6. Fig. 5 shows a sectional view which runs centrally through the circumferential groove 43 of the eccentric shaft 35. It can be seen that the locking pin 44 protrudes into the groove 43 and in the braking position of the eccentric shaft 35 shown, its head part 42 and the adjusting lever 41 attached to it (shown in phantom lines) rest against the locking pin 44 on its right-hand side. In this braking position, the adjusting pin 38 (shown in dashed lines) with its bearing ring 40 is rotated in the direction of arrow 90 beyond the locking pin 44 by a few degrees, so that

H265.doc

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NEYMEYER & PARTNER GbR, Patent Attorneys

MN / mn

&iacgr;'.*&iacgr;»&iacgr; ****». i «78052 ^illingen-Schwenningen (DE)

With a corresponding axial load from the two disc springs 21 and 22, an independent loosening of the eccentric shaft 35 is safely excluded.

To release the braking device, the eccentric shaft 35 is moved with its adjusting lever 41 from the angular position shown in Fig. 5, for example, into the angular position shown in Fig. 6. It is clear that the bearing seat 47 moves downwards in the axial direction of the arrow 91 relative to the adjusting pin 38, so that, as can be seen in particular from Fig. 4, the press piston 23 also inevitably moves in this direction of the arrow 91.

This adjusting movement relaxes the two disc springs 21 and 22, so that the braking effect of the brake plate 20 on the profile rail 3 is canceled and thus the entire device is free again and can be moved freely along the profile rail 3.

Fig. 7 shows a further embodiment of a holding device 2/1, which is fixedly mounted on the underside of the mounting pin 16 shown in dashed lines in Fig. 7. The mounting pin 16 is mounted in the profile rail 3 via the mounting plate 5 so that it can be moved longitudinally, in accordance with the previous embodiments. The brake piston 23 and the brake

25 plate 20.

H26S.doc

Neymeyer & Partner GbR, Patent Attorneys MN/mn

YY *·* _% . J J7S052*VilIingen-Schwenningen(DE) . * May 2, 2000

The holding device 2/1 is formed by a U-shaped holding bracket 92, the two lateral
U-legs 93 and 94 the communication device
82 between them. The two lower free ends of the two U-legs 93 and 94 are connected via corresponding
Bearing axes 95 and 96 with the communication device
82 or with a frame part of the communication device 82. The special design
of these bearing axes 95 and 96 is for the bearing axis 96
shown enlarged in section in Fig. 8, which represents an enlarged detail XIII of Fig. 7.

The bearing axis 96 has a, in the lower end area of the
U-leg 93 has a bearing pin 97 which is firmly screwed into the bearing pin 97 and onto which a friction plate 98 is attached. Fig. 8a shows a bottom view X from Fig. 8, from which
It can be seen that the friction plate 98 has two lateral
locking bars 99 and 100, with which the
Friction plate 98 non-rotatably encloses the U-leg 93 at least partially on the sides.

Furthermore, the bearing axis 86 is provided with a mounting cylinder 101, which can be connected, for example, to a frame leg
102 of the communication device 82 screwed
Towards the frame leg 102, the assembly cylinder 101 has a cylindrical recess 103, which is used to receive the free end of the bearing pin 97 as well as

H265.doc

NEYMEYER & PARTNER GbR, patent attorneys MN /mn

I r*,*i.i &diams;***».! i78052jViUingen-Schweniiingeii(DE)

*.. ' »&idigr;* *«*· *»i* "··***»* 02.May20O0

such as a mounting nut 104, which is screwed onto the bearing pin 97 for mounting the mounting cylinder 101.
Between the inner bottom surface of the recess 103 and the mounting nut 104,

In the embodiment shown below, four disc springs are provided as spring elements, which are shown together in Fig. 8
marked with the reference number 105. Furthermore, between the friction plate 98 and the assembly cylinder
101, a friction lining 106 is provided, through which a braking torque is exerted on the assembly cylinder 101 due to the axial forces applied by the disc springs 105.
becomes.

Due to this special design of the bearing axle 96, which is identical to the design of the bearing axle 95,

the respective swivel position of the communication device 82 is thus locked. By appropriately selecting the preload of the disc springs 105, the braking force can be adapted to the respective weight of the communication device 82 in such a way that both heavier and lighter communication devices can be safely locked in the desired position after their swivel position has been adjusted.
position must be held.

H265.doc

Claims (13)

1. Device ( 1 ) for the suspended mounting of a communication device ( 82 ), in particular a PC monitor and/or a computer, characterized in that a profile rail ( 3 ) with a longitudinally displaceable mounting plate ( 5 ) is provided, in which a mounting pin ( 16 ) provided with a holding device ( 2 , 2/1 ) for the communication device ( 82 ) is rotatably mounted, and that the mounting pin ( 16 ) is provided with a manually operable braking device ( 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 35 , 41 ), by means of which the mounting plate ( 5 ) can be locked on the profile rail ( 3 ) in different positions. 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the braking device has a braking plate ( 20 ) which is arranged coaxially to the mounting pin ( 16 ), and that the braking plate ( 20 ) is pressed against the underside ( 10 , 11 ) of the profile rail ( 3 ) via a manually operable eccentric gear ( 23 , 35 , 41 ) for locking the mounting plate ( 5 ). 3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the eccentric gear consists of a press piston ( 23 ) which can be axially displaced via a bearing bore ( 28 , 29 , 30 ) on the mounting pin ( 16 ), in which an eccentric shaft ( 35 ) running approximately radially to the mounting pin ( 16 ) is rotatably mounted in an eccentric bore ( 31 ), which engages in a transverse groove ( 39 ) of the mounting pin ( 16 ) with an adjusting pin ( 38 ) arranged eccentrically to its axis of rotation ( 37 ) for the axial adjustment of the press piston ( 23 ) relative to the mounting pin ( 16 ). 4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that a spring element ( 21 , 22 ) is provided between the press piston ( 23 ) and the brake plate ( 20 ), by means of which the axially acting braking forces are transmitted from the press piston ( 23 ) to the brake plate ( 20 ). 5. Device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that a separate bearing bush ( 32 ), in particular in the form of a needle bearing ( 32 ), is provided for the rotatable mounting of the eccentric shaft ( 35 ). 6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the bearing bush ( 32 ) projects radially into the bearing bore ( 30 ) of the press piston ( 23 ) and, in cooperation with a stop surface ( 56 ) of the mounting pin ( 16 ), forms a rotationally fixed connection with little play between the press piston ( 23 ) and the mounting pin ( 16 ). 7. Device according to claim 4, 5 or 6, characterized in that the eccentric shaft ( 35 ) is provided with a manually operable adjusting lever ( 41 ) arranged approximately at right angles to the axis of rotation ( 37 ) of the eccentric shaft ( 35 ). 6. Device according to one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the eccentric shaft ( 35 ) has a circumferential groove ( 43 ) into which, in the assembled state, a locking pin ( 44 ) protruding into the eccentric bore ( 31 ) of the press piston ( 23 ) engages. 9. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that a stop pin ( 46 ) is provided in the groove ( 43 ) of the eccentric shaft ( 35 ), by means of which, in cooperation with the locking pin ( 44 ), at least the braking position of the eccentric shaft ( 35 ) is fixed. 10. Device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the communication device ( 82 ) is pivotally mounted on a bearing axis ( 62 , 95 , 96 ) of the holding device ( 2 , 2/1 ) which extends substantially transversely to the mounting pin ( 16 ). 11. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that the bearing axis ( 62 , 96 ) is provided with at least one locking device ( 73 , 74 , 98 , 105 , 106 ), in particular in the form of a spring-loaded friction lining ( 74 , 106 ), the friction resistance of which can be adjusted such that the communication device ( 82 ) can, on the one hand, be manually pivoted about the bearing axis ( 62 , 96 ) and, on the other hand, is fixedly locked in the desired pivot position. 12. Device according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the holding device ( 2/1 ) is formed by an approximately U-shaped holding bracket ( 92 ) mounted on the underside of the bearing pin, the U-legs ( 93 , 94 ) of which are arranged laterally next to the communication device ( 82 ), and that the communication device ( 82 ) is pivotally attached to the free ends of the U-legs ( 93 , 94 ). 13. Device according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the holding device ( 2 ) is formed from a multiply bent holding plate ( 48 ), to the lower end ( 59 ) of which the communication device ( 82 ) is pivotably attached at the rear.