A monitor support apparatus

Description

The present invention relates to a monitor support apparatus, and m particular, a monitor support apparatus having a component connection mechanism.

Most modern computer monitors comprise flat screen monitors, for example, LCD displays Such flat-screen computer monitors have the advantage of being slim and light, which enables them to be mounted on an elevated and adjustable support device. Such adjustable support devices are frequently secured to a work surface such as a desk or table such that the flat-screen monitor is suspended above the work surface. This arrangement is also neat and aesthetically attractive

In order for such a support device to be practical, it must be adjustable so that a user can position the flat-screen monitor m the most appropriate position for use relative to the work surface. This generally involves manipulating the support device such that a user can alter the height of the monitor relative to the work surface, as well as moving the monitor towards and away from a user and from side to side. A mounting portion for a monitor is generally secured to a vertical component of the support device, such as a vertical support post, and includes releasable locking means to allow the mounting portion to be moved into and locked in a chosen position on the vertical component

One type of support device comprises a support arm with vertical and horizontal portions and rotatable joints, such that the position of the monitor can be easily adjusted. The monitor support device generally comprises a cylindrical post received in a support collar which is secured to the work surface by, for example, a clamp. The post may be rotatable within the support collar to enable positional adjustment of the monitor. Additionally, the support device may further comprise rotatable joints arms received in corresponding collar portions such that they are rotatable relative to each other. Such joints are simple and easy to assemble. However, a problem with such an arrangement is that when a force is applied to the post portion in a direction separating the post from the collar, the post may be pulled

fully out of the receiving collar, such that the support device no longer supports the monitor. This is particularly common when a user raises the height of the monitor which can result in the vertical support post being lifted out of the support collar which is secured to the work surface.

Although means of permanently mounting the post in the receiving collar are known, they are not easily adjustable and/or are complicated and expensive to manufacture or assemble without the need for any additional tools. Further, existing mounting means generally do not allow a post to be easily slid into a collar or rotated thereabout.

Therefore, the present invention seeks to provide a monitor support apparatus which substantially alleviates or overcomes the problems discussed above

According to the present invention, there is provided a monitor support apparatus comprising a post and a socket to receive and support the post, and a cooperating mechanism between the post and the socket configured such that the post can be readily inserted into the socket, the cooperating mechanism engaging during withdrawal of the post from the socket to resist its removal therefrom.

The co-operating mechanism preferably comprises a moveable resilient member which at least partially surrounds the post and interferers between the post and the socket during withdrawal of the post from the socket to resist its removal therefrom.

The resilient member is preferably moveable in an axial direction of the post between a disengagement position during insertion of the post into the socket and an interference engagement position during withdrawal of the post from the socket.

The cooperating mechanism preferably further comprises a circumferential recess formed in the post, the resilient member being moveably disposed within the recess.

Preferably, the resilient member is substantially annular and preferably has, in an undeformed state, a maximum outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of the socket into which the post can be inserted.

Preferably, the resilient member is elastically deformable during insertion of the post into the socket to reduce its diameter to conform to the inner diameter of the socket and thereby biases outwardly against the socket once inserted therein.

The socket preferably includes an open end into which the post is inserted, said open end having a chamfer to guide the resilient member to deform during insertion of the post into the socket.

The circumferential recess in the post is preferably tapered such that the radial depth of the recess varies in an axial direction of the post, and in a preferred embodiment., the circumferential recess comprises a shallow end proximal to an end of the post to be inserted into the support socket and a deep end distal to the end of the post to be inserted into the support socket.

In a preferred embodiment, the friction between the resilient member and the socket causes movement of the resilient member to the deep end of the recess in the disengagement position during insertion of the post into the socket, and causes movement of the resilient member to proximal the shallow end of the recess into the interference engagement position upon withdrawal of the post from the socket.

The radial depth of the deep end of the recess is preferably greater than the cross- sectional thickness of the resilient member and preferably, the radial depth of the shallow end of the recess is less than the cross-sectional thickness of the resilient member.

Preferably, the radial distance between the tapered wall of the recess at the deep end and the inner wall of the socket, when the post is inserted m the socket, is greater than the cross-sectional thickness of the resilient member, and preferably, the radial distance between the tapered wall of the recess at the shallow end and the inner wall

of the socket, when the post is inserted in the socket, is less than the cross-sectional thickness of the resilient member

In an alternative preferred embodiment, the cooperating mechanism further comprises a circumferential recess formed in an inner surface of the socket, the resilient member being moveably disposed within the recess

The resilient member is preferably substantially annular.

Preferably, the resilient member has, in an undeformed state, a minimum inner diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the post and m a preferred embodiment, the resilient member is elastically deformable during insertion of the post into the socket to increase its diameter to conform to the outer diameter of the post and thereby biases inwardly against the post once inserted into the socket

A distal end post which is inserted into the socket preferably has a chamfer to guide the resilient member to deform during insertion of the post into the socket.

The circumferential recess in the socket is preferably tapered such that the radial depth of the recess varies in an axial direction of the socket, and the circumferential recess preferably comprises a shallow end proximal to an open end of the socket into which the post is inserted, and a deep end distal to the open end of the socket into which the post is inserted.

The friction between the resilient member and the post causes movement of the resilient member to the deep end of the recess in the disengagement position during insertion of the post into the socket, and causes movement of the resilient member to proximal the shallow end of the recess into the interference engagement position upon withdrawal of the post from the socket.

Preferably, the radial depth of the deep end of the recess is greater than the cross- sectional thickness of the resilient member, and preferably, the radial depth of the

shallow end of the recess is less than the cross-sectional thickness of the resilient member.

In a preferred embodiment, the radial distance between the tapered wall of the recess at the deep end and the outer wall of the post, when the post is inserted in the socket, is greater than the cross-sectional thickness of the resilient member, and preferably, the radial distance between the tapered wall of the recess at the shallow end and the outer wall of the post, when the post is inserted in the socket, is less than the cross-sectional thickness of the resilient member.

The resilient member preferably comprises a substantially annular member having a break therein to facilitate elastic deformation of the annular member to increase/decrease its diameter.

The cross section of the annular member may be circular, or the annular member may include a face which extends parallel to a tapered face of the recess. Furthermore, the annular member may include a face which extends parallel an axis of the post.

The resilient member may be made of nylon or of stainless steel.

The socket preferably comprises a shoulder portion at its base to support a distal end of the post when inserted therein, and the post is preferably rotatable in the socket about its longitudinal axis.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is an elevated perspective view of a monitor support apparatus according to the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is an exploded perspective view of a connection mechanism of the monitor support apparatus shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view of the connection mechanism of Figure 2 showing a post separated from a support socket;

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view of the connection mechanism of Figure 2 showing the post fully inserted into the support socket; FIGURE 5 is a sectional view of the connection mechanism of Figure 2 showing the post during withdrawal from the support socket;

FIGURE 6 is an exploded perspective view of a connection mechanism of an alternative embodiment of the present invention;

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of the post and resilient ring member of the connection mechanism shown in Figure 6;

FIGURE 8 is a sectional view of the connection mechanism of Figure 6 showing the post separated from the support socket;

FIGURE 9 is a sectional view of the connection mechanism of Figure 6 showing the post fully inserted into the support socket; and FIGURE 10 is a sectional view of the connection mechanism of Figure 6 showing the post during withdrawal from the support socket.

Referring now to the drawings, Figure 1 shows a section of a monitor support apparatus 1 for a flat-screen monitor (not shown) according to the present invention, with a connection mechanism 2. The monitor support apparatus 1 comprises a base section 3 and a support arm 4. The base section 3 includes a support socket 5 and a clamping mechanism (not shown) for clamping the support socket 5 to a work surface, such as a desk or the like. The clamping mechanism (not shown) is conventional and so no further discussion of it will be given herein. The support socket 5 has a cylindrical hollow bore 6 formed therein defining an inner surface 6a, configured such that a post 7 formed at a first, lower end of the support arm 4, may be received therein. The support arm 4 further includes an intermediate connecting member 8 and an intermediate vertical support member 9. The intermediate connecting member 8 is connected at each end to the intermediate vertical support member 9 and post 7 respectively, by elbow joints 10 which may be formed integrally with the post 7, intermediate connecting member 8 and intermediate vertical support post 9, or may be formed separately from all of these components and connected together by a conventional connecting means.

The connection mechanism 2 is shown in more detail in Figures 2 and 3 and comprises the support socket 5, the post 7 and a ring member 11. The support socket 5 is cylindrical and has upper and lower ends 12,13. The cylindrical hollow bore 6 has an inner surface 6a and extends through the support socket 5. A shoulder 15 (see Figure 3) is formed in the hollow bore 6 proximate to the lower end 13 of the support socket 5 and extends circumferentially therearound to define an annular lip with an upper surface 17 and with an aperture 17a in a centre thereof.

An outwardly tapering chamfered portion 18 is formed at a mouth 19 of the hollow bore 6 defined at the upper end 12 of the support socket 5, for reasons that will be explained hereinafter. A circumferentially extending chamfered recess 20 is formed proximate to the lower end 13 of the support socket 5 to locate the support socket 5 in a corresponding recess of a clamping mechanism (not shown), so that the support socket 5 may be secured to the clamping mechanism by conventional means.

The post 7 comprises a linear cylindrical portion 22 having an outer surface 23 and a bottom face 24. A circumferentially extending chamfer 26 is formed about the edge where the bottom face 24 meets the outer surface 23. A circumferential recess 27 is formed in the outer surface 23 of the post 7, proximate to the bottom face 24.

The circumferential recess 27 comprises parallel first and second side walls 28,29 and an inner wall 30 extending therebetween. The inner wall 30 is inclined with respect to the outer surface 23 and tapers inwardly in an axial direction away from the bottom face 24 so that the depth of the recess 27 at the first side wall 28 distal to the bottom face 24 is greater than the depth of the recess 27 at the second side wall 29 proximate to the bottom face 24.

Although the inner wall 30 is tapered in the exemplary embodiment described above, the invention is not limited thereto. In an alternative unillustrated embodiment, a series of spines may be formed in the recess 27 which extend in an axial direction between the first and second side walls 28,29 and are inclined with

respect to the outer surface 23 to form a plurality of tapered surfaces on the outermost edges of the spines between said walls 28,29.

Additionally, in an alternative embodiment, a boss may be formed on the bottom face 24 of the post 7, the boss corresponding in shape to the aperture 17a formed by the shoulder 15 in the hollow bore 6, such that when the post 7 is located in the hollow bore 6, the support arm 4 is additionally positioned and stabilised by means of the boss locating in the aperture 17a.

The ring member 11 is shown in Figure 2 and comprises a resilient toroidal stainless steel ring. In this exemplary embodiment, the ring member 11 has a circular cross- section and the outer diameter defined by the outer surface 32 of the ring member 11, in a relaxed, undeformed state, is greater than the inner diameter of the hollow bore 6. The ring member 11 has a break 33 formed therein such that the ring member 11 has a pair of spaced-apart end surfaces 34,35 and to allow the ring member 11 to flex and be elastically deformed from its natural undeflected state to reduce its overall diameter. Although in this exemplary embodiment the ring member 11 is shown as a toroidal stainless steel ring, the invention is not limited thereto, and the invention may be formed from nylon or any other appropriate material as will be described hereinafter. Further, the exemplary embodiment shows a gap between the pair of end surfaces 34,35. However the end surfaces 34,35 may overlap in a further alternative (unillustrated) embodiment. In addition, the ring may alternatively be continuous and not have a break therein, within the scope of the invention, provided that the ring is configured with sufficient elasticity to perform as described hereinafter.

As can be seen from Figures 3 — 5, when assembled, the ring member 11 is disposed within the circumferential recess 27, and the length of the recess 27 in an axial direction of the post is such that the ring member can move axially therealong between the walls 28, 29 thereof. In addition, the cross section of the ring member 11 is such that it is smaller than the radial distance between the inner wall 30 of the recess 27 and the outer wall 23 of the post 7 at the deep end of the taper of the recess 27 at the first side wall 28, but is greater than the radial distance between the

inner wall 30 of the recess 27 and the outer wall 23 of the post 7 at the shallow end of the taper of the recess 27 at the second side wall 29.

An alternative embodiment of a ring member will now be described with reference to Figures 6 and 7. The alternative ring member 37 has aligned surfaces and is preferably formed from a nylon material, although it will be understood that other materials may be used within the scope of the invention. The ring member 37 comprises upper and lower end faces 38,39 and radially outer and inner sides 40,41. The ring member 37 has a break 42 formed therein to allow the ring member 37 to flex and be elastically deformed from its natural undeflected state to reduce its overall diameter.

Referring to Figure 7, the cross-sectional profile of the above exemplary ring member 37 is shown wherein the ring member 37 is symmetrical about a plane intermediate and parallel to the upper and lower end faces 38,39. The inner side 41 comprises a pair of opposing upper and lower wedge faces 44,45, which taper outwardly from a mid-point of the inner side 41 and are configured such that a lower wedge face 45 lies parallel to the tapering inner wall 30 of the recess 27.

The outer side 40 of the ring member 37 comprises an outer wedge face 47 extending between a pair of upper and lower side faces 48,49. The outer wedge face 47 is configured to he parallel to the inner surface 6a of the hollow bore 6 when the post 7 is inserted in the support socket 5.

Operation of the further exemplary embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to Figures 7 to 10, although it will be understood that the principle of the described operation of the invention applies to the first-described embodiment of the invention, as well as any alternative embodiments within the scope of the invention.

The ring member 37 is expanded to fit over the bottom face 24 of the post 7 and is slid into the recess 27. The ring member 37 is configured such that the outer wedge face 47 defines a greater outer diameter than the diameter of the outer surface 23 of

the post 7, such that it extends radially therebeyond. The outer diameter is also greater than the inner diameter of the hollow bore 6 of the support socket 5.

To assemble the monitor support apparatus 1 and secure it to a work surface, the support socket 5 is installed by known means to the work surface, and the post 7 is slid into the hollow bore 6 of the support socket 5. The outer surface 23 of the cylindrical portion 22 then slides relative to the inner surface 6a of the hollow bore 6 until the ring member 37 reaches the chamfered portion 18 at the upper edge 12 of the support socket 5. As the post is advanced further into the hollow bore 6, the ring member 37 contacts the chamfered portion 18 and this causes it to slide upwardly within the recess 27 until it abuts the first side wall 28. During further advancement of the post 7 into the support socket 5, the ring member 37 cannot slide within the recess 27 any further up the post 7, and so is forced by the tapered portion 18 of the support socket 5 into the hollow bore 6 of the support socket 5 to be compressed due to it being resilient and having the break 42. This allows the ring member 37 to constrict to reduce its diameter and to conform to the inner diameter of the hollow bore 6 of the support socket 5.

Subsequently, the outer wedge face 47 of the ring member 37 lies parallel to and against the inner surface 6a of the hollow bore 6 and the elastic resilience of the ring member 37 causes it to be urged thereagainst. Thereafter, as the post 7 is slid into the hollow bore 6 the friction of the ring member 37 against the inner surface 6a of the hollow bore 6 causes the ring member 37 to remain positioned in the uppermost region of the recess 27 where the radial depth thereof, i.e. the radial distance between the inner wall 30 and the outer surface 23 of the post 7/inner surface 6a of the bore 6 of the support socket 5, is sufficient to accommodate the thickness of the ring member 37. Therefore, although there is a frictional force acting between the ring member 37 on the inner wall 6a of the bore 6, it is minimal and allows the post to be inserted into the support socket 5 until the bottom face 24 thereof contacts the upper surface 17 of the shoulder 15 formed in the hollow bore 6. The post 7 is then supported by the support socket 5. The monitor support apparatus 1 is thereby secured in place on the work surface and a monitor can be

mounted to the monitor support apparatus 1 to be supported above the work surface.

Once in place as described above, if a user adjusts the monitor position, m particular to raise the height of the monitor, then an upward force would be applied to the post 7 since the monitor would conventionally be secured to the monitor support apparatus by a support bracket mounted on a vertical support post. Although the support bracket would be shdable relative to the vertical support post once unlocked therefrom, there would inevitably be an element of friction between the two components acting to pull the post 7 upwards out of the support socket 5. The post 7 is therefore moved upwardly to be drawn slightly out of the support socket 5. However, the friction of the outer face 47 of the ring member 37 against the inner surface 6a of the hollow bore 6 causes the ring member to remain stationary with respect to the support socket 5, and so as the post 7 is lifted, the ring member 37 is drawn downward relative to the post 7 within the circumferential recess 27 until a lower portion 46 of the inner wall 30 of the recess 27 contacts the lower wedge face 45 of the ring member 37. Further upward movement of the post 7 acts to urge the lower wedge face 45 of the ring member 37 further into contact with the inner wall 30 of the recess 27 with increased force, causing the ring member 37 to act as a wedge and jam between the inner wall 30 of the post 7 and the inner surface 6a of the support socket 5. This interference and greatly increased friction between the surfaces 45, 47 of the ring member 37, the post 7 and the support socket 5 causes a greatly increased resistance to the post 7 being withdrawn from the support socket 5 and so locks the post 7 therein, allowing the monitor to be raised without lifting the post 7 out of the support socket 7. It should be noted that the above mechanism does not make it completely impossible for the post 7 to be removed from the support socket 5. Therefore, if the monitor support apparatus 1 is to be disassembled, a greater force is applied to the post 7 and it can be withdrawn and removed from the support socket 5.

The first embodiment of the invention described above having the toroidal stainless steel ring 11 of a circular cross-section works in much the same way as the operation described above with reference to the embodiment having the ring

metnber 37 with angled faces, namely that the ring member 11 is compressed to constrict during insertion of the post 7 into the support socket 5, and is disposed in the radially deeper portion of the circumferential recess 27 during insertion of the post 7 into the support socket 5, but factional resistance between the ring member 11 and the inner wall 6a of the hollow bore 6 causes the ring member 11 to be drawn axially downwards towards the radially shallower portion of the circumferential recess 27 upon withdrawal of the post 7 from the support socket 5 until it becomes wedged therebetween, its interference causing greatly increased resistance to removal of the post 7 from the support socket 5.

In the above-described embodiments, the hollow bore 6 of the support socket 5 and the post 7 are both circular in cross-section and coaxial such that the post 7 is rotatable withm the support socket 5. However, other non-rotatable embodiments are envisaged within the scope of the invention defined in the appended claims, such as, for example, an oval-cross-section post, support socket and ring member.

In each of the exemplary embodiments described above, the ring member is symmetrical between its upper and lower ends, for example refer to the cross sectional profile shown in Figure 7, such that the ring cannot be inserted m an incorrect orientation and so the monitor support apparatus is easy to assembly.

However, the invention is not limited thereto and the upper and lower portions of ring member may not be symmetrical.

It will be appreciated that the cooperating mechanism described above which provides the functional advantage of the invention, namely to allow the post to be easily inserted into the socket, but which resists removal of the post from the socket, could be configured in reverse — namely that the circumferential recess and ring member may be disposed on the support socket, and the post would not have any such recess formed therein. In such an embodiment, the circumferential recess would be formed in the inner surface 6a of the hollow bore 6 of the socket 5, and the ring member would be disposed within the recess and configured, m an undeformed state, such that the minimum inner diameter of the ring member is smaller than the inner diameter of the bore 6 and smaller than the outer diameter of

the post 7. The recess would be tapered in an axial direction as with the embodiment described above, although it would be appreciated that a shallow end of the taper would have to be disposed proximate the open end of the socket 5 into which the post 7 is inserted, and the deep end of the tapered recess would have to be disposed distal to the open end of the socket. Thereby, the ring member, which could be of any configuration as described above, would be moved into an engagement interference position upon withdrawal of the post from the socket. It is intended that such an unillustrated embodiment is within the scope of the invention and is defined in the claims appended hereafter.

Although the connection mechanism is described in the above exemplary embodiments for use with a base post being held in a support socket on the work surface, it will be understood that the invention is not limited thereto and can be applied to any embodiment wherein a post or member is received within and requires prevention from being withdrawn from, a corresponding receiving collar/sleeve/socket.

Further, although exemplary embodiments have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variations may be made to the above exemplary embodiments that he within the scope of the invention, defined in the following claims.