Classifications

• • 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
  • F16M11/12—Means for attachment of apparatus; Means allowing adjustment of the apparatus relatively to the stand allowing pivoting in more than one direction
  • F16M11/14—Means for attachment of apparatus; Means allowing adjustment of the apparatus relatively to the stand allowing pivoting in more than one direction with ball-joint
• • 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
• • 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
  • F16M2200/06—Arms
  • F16M2200/068—Arms being part of the undercarriage

Definitions

• the invention relates to office equipment, in particular computer equipment.
• It relates more particularly to a support device for a flat liquid crystal screen, in particular for a computer station.
• Support devices for a liquid crystal flat screen comprise an arm suitable for being connected to a support structure, as well as an articulation mechanism interposed between the arm and the screen.
• the arm is generally composed of several elements hinged together. This arm is often bulky and it requires the use of a resistant supporting structure which also generates bulk on the station where it is placed.
• the arm is usually connected in a non-removable manner to the support structure, which requires mounting the flat screen, in situ, directly on the articulation mechanism carried by the arm. Given the particular constraints of each station, this assembly is carried out generally "blind", which poses many practical difficulties.
• the gain in size obtained with such a flat screen is generally lost, at least in part, by the size of the support device itself.
• the object of the invention is in particular to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks.
• It aims in particular to provide a support device for a flat liquid crystal screen which is simple in structure and easy to install.
• the invention proposes a support device of the type defined in the introduction, in which the carrying structure comprises a stirrup having two walls spaced horizontally and provided respectively with two aligned openings defining a given axis passage suitable for being crossed by the arm arranged in overhang.
• the arm thus constitutes an adjustable bracket at the end of which the screen is mounted.
• the arm comprises a tube with a circular cylindrical wall, while at least one of the openings comprises an N-shaped end to ensure the locking in translation and in rotation of the tube, by effect of corner.
• the tube can be placed in the bracket, in a given axial and angular position, and be maintained in this position by a simple locking effect due to the particular shape of at least one of the aligned openings.
• the arm being detachably connected to the stirrup, this makes it possible to first fix the arm to the screen by means of the articulation mechanism, then to introduce the arm into the passage defined by the 'stirrup.
• the mounting of the flat screen is facilitated.
• the device of the invention allows permanent vision of the fixing point during mounting.
• the two openings of the stirrup each have a V-shaped end, and these two V-shaped ends are arranged head to tail, one being directed upwards and the other downwards.
• each of the V-shaped ends is delimited by two straight edges forming between them a chosen angle and connecting with an edge in an arc having a diameter slightly greater than the diameter of the tube.
• the angle chosen above is advantageously between 50 'and 70', and preferably equal to 60 ' .
• the two walls of the stirrup are preferably part respectively of two shells assembled together.
• the stirrup comprises a vertical cylindrical passage having an axis substantially orthogonal to the axis of the horizontal passage, said vertical passage being intended to be crossed by a vertical cylindrical mast forming part of the carrying structure , so as to allow the stirrup to be immobilized in an axial and angular position defined relative to the mast, by jamming effect in overhang.
• Each of the aforementioned shells preferably comprises an upper folded edge provided with an upper notch in an arc of a circle suitable for coming opposite an upper notch homologous with the other shell, as well as a lower folded edge provided with a lower notch in a circular arc suitable for coming opposite a lower notch homologous with the other shell.
• the stirrup further comprises a screw locking member for ensuring the locking of the stirrup in this defined axial and angular position.
• the arm is a telescopic tube which comprises a first cylindrical part suitable for sliding in the horizontal passage of the stirrup and a second cylindrical part suitable for sliding in the first part and supporting the ball joint.
• the first part and the second part of the tube are each of circular cylindrical shape and comprise means for mutual locking in rotation.
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a support device for a flat liquid crystal screen 1 according to the invention
• FIG. 2 is a sectional view, taken along the axis of the tube-shaped arm, of the device of Figure 1;
• FIG. 3 is a front view of the stirrup forming part of the supporting structure
• FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the device, the tube being shown in the telescoped position;
• FIGS 5 to 7 are partial sectional views, similar to Figure 2, showing three positions different from the patella;
• FIG. 8 is a front view of a shell forming part of the stirrup of the device of the invention.
• Figure 9 is a top view corresponding to Figure 8.
• FIG. 10 is an axial sectional view of a ball joint in another embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 1 represents a device 10 intended to support a flat screen 12, of the liquid crystal type, such as those used, for example, in computer stations.
• the device 10 comprises an arm 14, forming a bracket, disposed in a substantially horizontal position while being supported by a support structure 16.
• a hinge mechanism 18 is interposed between the arm 14 and the screen 12.
• the supporting structure 16 comprises a stirrup 20, also called a shoe, which can slide vertically (double arrow Fl) along a vertical mast 22 produced here in the form of a tube with circular cylindrical wall.
• the mast 22 comprises a base 24 suitable for being fixed, preferably in an adjustable manner, on a station, for example a computer desk.
• the base 24 is adjustable in position along a horizontal rail 26 (shown schematically) that includes said computer station.
• the arm 14 is produced here in the form of a telescopic tube which comprises a first tubular part 28, in the example of circular cylindrical shape, and a second tubular part 30, also of circular cylindrical shape, capable of sliding at the inside of the tubular part 28.
• the tubular part 28 is able to slide axially and to rotate freely in a horizontal passage 32 of axis XX that defines the bracket 20.
• the tubular part 28 can be adjusted in a given axial and angular position relative to the stirrup 20. This is also adjustable in a given angular position relative to the mast 22, as shown by the arrow F2.
• tubular part 30 can be adjusted axially with respect to the part 28, which makes it possible to modify the distance between the screen 12 and the bracket, and this with a large amplitude taking into account the telescopic nature of the arm 14.
• the tubular parts 28 and 30 comprise means for mutual locking in rotation, and this to prevent the tubular part 30 from rotating relative to the tubular part 28 under the effect of a torque produced by the screen 12 when the latter is in an inclined cantilever position.
• the articulation mechanism 18 comprises a ball joint 36 which has a surface 38 of generally hemispherical shape and of center C (Figure 4).
• the ball 36 is extended by four radial legs 40 which are best seen in Figure 1. These four legs are arranged at 90 ° from each other and they each have two holes 42 for fixing the ball 36 on a rear face 44 of the screen. The latter is fitted with four appropriate holes (not shown) according to the VESA standard.
• the existence of two holes 42 on each of the legs 40 makes it possible to adapt the ball joint to screens of different sizes.
• the ball 36 itself is received in an internal housing 48 defined by the cage 46.
• the internal surface of the cage does not constitute a surface homologous to the hemispherical surface 38.
• the cage comes into contact with the hemispherical surface 38 only by an internal annular border 50 which thus forms an annular and narrow contact surface.
• the cage 46 is extended by a sleeve 52 which defines an axial cylindrical passage 54.
• the tubular part 30 of the arm 14 comprises a first end 56 which fits around the sleeve 52 and a second end 58 which internally receives a support 60, the structure of which will be described later.
• the ball joint 18 and the cage 46 are each formed from a material with high mechanical resistance and a high coefficient of friction. As such, it is advantageous that the ball joint and the cage are each formed of a suitable plastic material, and in particular of the polycarbonate type. The ball 38 and the cage 46 can thus be produced easily by molding of this particular plastic material.
• the device further comprises traction means 62 interposed between the cage and the ball to exert an elastic return force, of selected value, which urges the ball 38 to bear against the annular edge 50 of the cage.
• traction means 62 interposed between the cage and the ball to exert an elastic return force, of selected value, which urges the ball 38 to bear against the annular edge 50 of the cage.
• the traction means 62 comprise a tie rod 64 which, in the example, is a flexible cable, namely a multi-strand metal cable.
• This tie rod 64 passes through the ball and the cage and it comprises a first end stop 66, here of generally circular cylindrical shape, which bears substantially at the center C of the ball.
• the ball 38 includes a cylindrical housing 68 used for receiving the stop 66 and opening onto a rear face 70 of the ball.
• This housing 68 communicates with a passage 74 of frustoconical shape which is used for the passage of the tie rod and which opens onto the hemispherical surface 38 of the ball joint.
• This passage 74 has a generally conical shape and it has a narrow opening 76 which communicates with the abutment housing 68 and a wide opening 78, of circular shape, which opens onto the hemispherical surface of the ball joint.
• the tie rod 64 has a second end stop 80 which is received in the support 60, outside the cage. To this end, the end of the tie rod is produced in the form of a threaded part provided with an adjustment nut 42 and traversed by a helical spring 84, which bears against a support ring 86 forming part of the support 60.
• this support 60 comprises a sleeve 88 terminated by a flange 90 and the bottom of which is constituted by the abovementioned support ring 86.
• the spring 84 is arranged between two washers: a washer 92 situated against the nut 82 and a washer 94 situated against the support ring 86.
• tubular part 28 of the arm is terminated, on one side, by a ring 95 which slides inside the tubular part 30 and, on the opposite side, by a cap 96 of conical shape.
• This cap hides the access to the adjusting nut and further constitutes a stop preventing the arm 14 from escaping from the stirrup 20.
• the ball 36 (therefore the screen 12) can take an infinite number of orientations.
• the tensile force exerted on the ball joint applies substantially to the center of the latter and in the axis of the arm.
• the ball joint Given the frustoconical shape of the tie rod passage 74, the ball joint can have a large range of motion. This allows an infinite number of positions or adjustment orientations, in combination with the fact that the arm 14 is itself telescopic and that it is carried by a stirrup adjustable in height and in orientation relative to the mast 22.
• the bracket 20 comprises two generally similar parts or shells 100 and 102, arranged on either side of the mast 22 and assembled together, the part 100 being located on the side of the screen 12 and the part 102 being on the opposite side.
• the shells 100 and 102 have respective walls 104 and 106 spaced apart horizontally and provided respectively with two aligned openings 108 and 110 which define the above-mentioned horizontal passage 32 of axis XX.
• the two openings 108 and 110 each have a V-shaped end, namely 112 and 114 respectively, these two ends being arranged head to tail.
• the end 112 of the opening 108 is directed downward, while the end 114 of the opening
• each of these ends is delimited by two straight edges 116 forming between them a chosen angle A, typically between 50 ° and 70 ° , in the example of 60 °
• the straight edges 116 of the opening 108 do not form a true V, insofar as they are connected together by a transverse edge 120.
• tubular part 28 of the arm can slide axially in the passage 32 and be immobilized in a given axial position and angular position.
• tubular part 30 can be moved, simply in axial sliding, relative to the tubular part 28, to provide additional adjustment of the screen, as already indicated.
• Each of the shells for example the shell 100, comprises an upper folded edge 122 provided with an upper notch 124 in an arc of a circle, adapted to come opposite an upper notch homologous with the other shell, as well as an edge folded lower 126 provided with a lower notch 128 in an arc, suitable for coming opposite a lower notch homologous with the other shell.
• the two upper notches facing each other and the two lower notches facing each other help to define a vertical cylindrical passage 130 which admits a substantially orthogonal YY axis to the axis XX of the horizontal passage 32 ( Figure 1).
• This vertical passage is designed to be crossed by the vertical cylindrical mast 22 described above.
• the shells 100 and 102 are generally similar and are advantageously produced by molding a metallic material.
• the stirrup 20 further comprises a locking member 136 of the screw type for locking the stirrup in a defined axial and angular position.
• This member 136 comprises a button 138 extended by a threaded rod 140 which passes through an opening 142 of the shell 100 and which cooperates with a threaded passage opposite the shell 102. It should be noted that, due to the '' cantilever force exerted by the weight of the arm and the screen, the stirrup 100 can come to a stop in an axial and angular position chosen relative to the mast 22, by simple wedging effect.
• the locking member 136 simply constitutes a security device for locking the stirrup in a chosen position relative to the mast.
• the ball 38 of Figure 10 differs from that described above in that it is hollowed out instead of being massive. It in fact comprises a recess 144 which opens onto the rear face 70. This makes it possible to lighten the ball joint and to facilitate its production by molding, without compromising its mechanical strength taking into account the material used.
• This provides a device of simple structure, compact, to ensure an infinite number of possible settings for a flat screen liquid crystal.
• stirrup can be used with different types of arms and articulation mechanisms.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Pivots And Pivotal Connections (AREA)
• Devices For Indicating Variable Information By Combining Individual Elements (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=8861001

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (5)

Families Citing this family (32)

Family Cites Families (15)

• 2001
  • 2001-03-12 FR FR0103328A patent/FR2821901B1/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2002
  • 2002-03-12 WO PCT/FR2002/000876 patent/WO2002073085A1/fr not_active Ceased
  • 2002-03-12 US US10/469,231 patent/US20040079858A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2002-03-12 EP EP02722341A patent/EP1368592A1/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2002-03-12 JP JP2002572309A patent/JP2004522920A/ja active Pending

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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