WO2015000251A1 | 2015-01-08 |
US6220556B1 | 2001-04-24 | |||
US6138970A | 2000-10-31 | |||
EP1111290A1 | 2001-06-27 | |||
US20030129019A1 | 2003-07-10 | |||
US6347776B1 | 2002-02-19 |
Claims 1. An adjustable mounting apparatus for securing an electronic device to a post, the adjustable mounting apparatus comprising: an arm extending between a first pivot joint and a second pivot joint, the first pivot joint being rotatably connected about a first pivot axis to a mount having a first mount body that is separate from and fastenable to a second mount body, each of the first and second mount bodies having a brace surface and a generally opposed outer surface defining a mount body thickness therebetween, and a length axis and a perpendicular width axis, the first and second mount bodies each including a slotted opening that is configured to receive a fastener therein to thereby fasten the first and second bodies to the post, the slotted opening defining a path along which the fastener is adjustably positionable, at least a portion of the path being oriented skew with respect to both the length axis and the width axis, the first pivot joint further including a first multiple-axis gimbal that is adjustable between a free condition that permits movement about the first gimbal multiple axes, and a locked condition that restricts movement about the first gimbal multiple axes, the first gimbal supporting the arm for coordinated movement therewith, the second pivot joint being rotatably connected about a second pivot axis to a base plate that is specifically configured for removable connection to the electronic device, the second pivot joint further including a second multiple axis gimbal that is adjustable between a free condition that permits movement about the second gimbal multiple axes, and a locked condition that restricts movement about the second gimbal multiple axes, the second gimbal supporting the arm for coordinated movement therewith. 2. The adjustable mounting apparatus of Claim 1 wherein the first pivot joint is selectively indexable into discrete rotatable positions about the first pivot axis. 3. The adjustable mounting apparatus of Claim 2 wherein the second pivot joint is selectively indexable into discrete rotatable positions about the second pivot axis. 4. The adjustable mounting apparatus of Claim 3 wherein the first and second pivot axes may be parallel or skew with respect to one another. 5. The adjustable mounting apparatus of Claim 4 wherein the arm is extendable to adjust a spacing dimension between the first and second pivot joints. 6. The adjustable mounting apparatus of Claim 1 wherein the brace surface exhibits a hardness of between 90 Shore A and 70 Shore D. 7. The adjustable mounting apparatus of Claim 6 wherein at least a portion of the first and second mount bodies including the respective brace surfaces includes a vibration dampener. 8. The adjustable mounting apparatus of Claim 5, including a plurality of slotted openings in each of the first and second mount bodies, with respective sets of slotted openings being arranged at the first and second mount bodies to receive one of a plurality of fasteners therein to thereby fasten the first and second bodies to the post, wherein the first and second bodies are positionable to sandwich the post. 9. The adjustable mounting apparatus of Claim 8 wherein the length axis defines a length of each of the first and second mount bodies, and the width axis defines a width of each of the first and second mount bodies, wherein the length is greater than the width, and wherein the length axis and the width axis together define quadrants of each of the first and second mount bodies. 10. The adjustable mounting apparatus of Claim 9, including at least one slotted opening in each of the quadrants of each of the first and second mount bodies. 11. The adjustable mounting apparatus of Claim 10 wherein the post has a cross- sectional width of between 1-4 inches. 12. The adjustable mounting apparatus of Claim 1 wherein the locked condition prevents movement of the first gimbal and the second gimbal. 13. The adjustable mounting apparatus of Claim 12 wherein the first and second gimbals are each movable about three orthogonal axes. 14. The adjustable mounting apparatus of Claim 1 wherein the electronic device is a tablet computer, a cellular phone, a payment terminal, a computer monitor, a printer, or a scanner. 15. The adjustable mounting apparatus of Claim 1, including a second arm extending between a third pivot joint and a fourth pivot joint, wherein the third pivot joint is rotatably connected about a third pivot axis to the mount. 16. The adjustable mounting apparatus of Claim 15 wherein the first pivot joint is rotatably connected to the first mount body, and the third pivot joint is rotatably connected to the second mount body. 17. A method for securing an electronic device to the adjustable mounting apparatus of Claim 8, the method comprising: (a) Positioning the first and second bodies to sandwhich the post; (b) Connecting the fasteners to respective sets of the slotted openings of the first and second mount bodies to thereby fasten the first and second bodies to the post; and (c) Connecting the electronic device to the base plate. 18. The method of Claim 17 wherein the base plate includes mounting features compliant with one or more of AMPS standard and VESA standard. 19. The method of Claim 17, including adjusting a position of the electronic device without adjusting the fasteners. 20. The method of Claim 19, including adjusting one or more of: (a) a rotational position of the first pivot joint about the first pivot axis; (b) a rotational position of the second pivot joint about the second pivot axis; (c) a pivotable location of the first gimbal about one or more of the first gimbal multiple axes; (d) a pivotable location of the second gimbal about one or more of the second gimbal multiple axes; and (e) the spacing dimension between the first and second pivot joints. 21. An adjustable mounting apparatus for an electronic device, comprising: a first coupler securable to a post; a first pivot joint rotatably connected to the first coupler about a first pivot axis and including a first gimbal that is movable about a plurality of first gimbal axes, the first gimbal having an inner gimbal member with a curved outer surface and an outer gimbal shell at least partially enclosing the inner gimbal member, the first gimbal further including a tensioner for adjusting an engagement between the outer gimbal shell and the curved outer surface of the inner gimbal member to selectively adjust frictional resistance to movement of the inner gimbal member with respect to the outer gimbal shell, the tensioner extending through a bore in the inner gimbal member; and a second coupler that is movable with the first gimbal and securable to the electronic device. 22. The adjustable mounting apparatus as in Claim 21 wherein a bore wall defines the bore in the inner gimbal member, and wherein a space between the bore wall and the tensioner permits movement of the inner gimbal member about the plurality of first gimbal axes. 23. The adjustable mounting apparatus as in Claim 21 wherein the tensioner is threadably receivable in the outer gimbal shell. 24. The adjustable mounting apparatus as in Claim 23 wherein the outer gimbal shell includes first and second shell portions that are movable with respect to one another by the tensioner. 25. The adjustable mounting apparatus as in Claim 21 wherein the frictional resistance to movement of the inner gimbal member with respect to the outer gimbal shell is adjustable between a free condition that permits movement about the first gimbal multiple axes, and a locked condition that restricts movement about the first gimbal multiple axes. 26. The adjustable mounting apparatus as in Claim 21, including an arm supported by the first gimbal. 27. The adjustable mounting apparatus as in Claim 26 wherein the arm connects the second coupler to the first gimbal. 28. The adjustable mounting apparatus as in Claim 27 wherein the arm connects the first gimbal to a second pivot joint that is pivotably connected to the second coupler about a second pivot axis. 29. The adjustable mounting apparatus as in Claim 28, wherein the second pivot joint includes a second gimbal that is movable about a plurality of second gimbal axes, and wherein the arm connects the first gimbal to the second gimbal. |
Second pivot joint 16 further includes a second multiple-axis gimbal 150 for rotation about second gimbal axes, such as axes x, y, z. Second gimbal 150 may be in the form of a ball and socket joint, with ball 152 pivotally secured at least partially within pivot housing 146. In preferred embodiments, pivot housing 146 includes first and second shell portions 147a, 147b that are secured together with a bolt or locking shaft 154. In this manner, an engagement between ball 152 and pivot housing 146 may be adjusted by tightening or loosening bolt 154. Frictional resistance to pivoting movement of ball 152 with respect to pivot housing 146 may accordingly be selectively adjusted by the user. Preferably, bolt 154 threadably engages with threaded opening 156 in second shell portion 147b to move first and second shell portions 147a, 147b with respect to one another, and to correspondingly adjust the frictional resistance to pivotal movement of ball 152 with respect to pivot housing 146. Frictional resistance may be adjusted to an extent to which spontaneous movement of ball 152 with respect to pivot housing 146 under gravitational force is prevented. This locking mechanism is preferably effective even when an electronic device is mounted at base plate 128. In some embodiments, frictional resistance may be adjusted to an extent to which movement of ball 152 with respect to pivot housing 146 under even moderate externally-applied force, such as from an external impact, is prevented. The extent of frictional resistance is preferably adjustable by the user through adjustment of bolt 154 received at threaded opening 156.
The pivoting degrees of freedom of ball 152 in pivot housing 146 is further enabled by bore 158, which has a cross-sectional diameter that is substantially greater than bolt shaft diameter. The resultant space between the bolt and ball 152 in bore 158 permits multiple degrees of pivoting freedom of ball 152 with respect to pivot housing 146. In particular, second gimbal 150 may be selectively permitted to pivot about multiple axes, including orthogonal second gimbal axes x, y, z. Through the relationship of ball 152, bolt 154, and pivot housing 146, second gimbal 150 may be selectively adjusted between a free condition that permits movement about multiple second gimbal axes, and a locked condition that restricts movement about the second gimbal axes. As described above, the locked condition may prevent movement about one or more of the second gimbal axes. First mount body 22 is fastenable to second mount body 24 with one or more fasteners 70 received in respective slotted openings 72. Preferably, the first and second mount bodies 22, 24 are positionable to bracket or sandwhich post 8 therebetween, wherein fasteners 70 are operable to draw first and second mount bodies 22, 24 toward one another so as to frictionally engage with and fasten to post 8. Fasteners 70 may include formations 71 for restricting rotation relative to first body 22 when received in respective slotted openings 72. An example formation 71 is a hexagonal head that is configured for engagement with opposing walls of slotted openings 72 when the fastener 70 is received therein.
First and second mount bodies 22, 24 each have a length axis 74, a width axis 76 perpendicular to length axis 74, a brace surface 78, and a generally opposed outer surface 80 defining a mount body thickness 82 between brace surface 78 and outer surface 80. Length axis 74 defines a length 84, and width axis 76 defines a width 86 of each of first and second mount bodies 22, 24. Length 84 may be greater than width 86. Length axis 74 and width axis 84 together define quadrants 90a, 90b, 90c, and 90d of each of first and second mount bodies 22, 24.
Slotted openings 72 are configured to receive a fastener 70 therein for securing first and second mount bodies 22, 24 to post 8. Slotted openings may be through-apertures extending through thickness 82, or may instead form receptacles extending only partially through thickness 82. An aspect of the present invention is the adaptability of mounting apparatus 10, and particularly mount 20, to posts 8 of various shape and size. The adaptability is facilitated by the shape and orientation of slotted openings 72, the relative positioning of slotted openings 72 with respect to one another, and the configuration of first and second mount bodies 22, 24. In the illustrated embodiment, first and second mount bodies 22, 24 each include four slotted openings 72, with one slotted opening 72a, 72b, 72c, 72d in each quadrant 90a, 90b, 90c, 90d. Each slotted opening 72 defines a path 73 along which the fastener 70 is adjustably positionable. Because path 73 is longer than the diameter of fastener 70, the position of fastener 70 within slotted opening 72 may be adjusted. At least a portion of path 73 is oriented skew with respect to both length axis 74 and width axis 76 so that adjustment of the position of fastener 70 within slotted opening 72 changes the spacing between fasteners 70. Preferably, mount 20 is secured to post 8 with fasteners 70 abutting post 8 to limit or prevent movement of mount 20 with respect to post 8. Adjustment of the spacing between fasteners 70 permits a customization of the overall fastener spacing to accommodate posts 8 of various size and shape. By way of example, Figure 1 illustrates first and second mount bodies 22, 24 secured to a 4” cross-sectional diameter post 8 in a horizontal orientation with fasteners 70 positioned at respective first ends 92 of slotted openings 72. This arrangement represents a maximum fastener spacing. By contrast, Figure 11 illustrates first and second mount bodies 22, 24 secured to a 1” cross-sectional diameter post 8 in a vertical orientation with fasteners positioned at respective first ends 92 of slotted openings 72. This arrangement represents a minimum fastener spacing for first and second mount bodies. It should be recognized that a variety of combinations of fastener spacing is available by incrementally adjusting a location of fasteners 70 within slotted openings 72, as well as by selectively orienting first and second mount bodies 22, 24 with length axis 74 or width axis 76 parallel to a post axis.
Fasteners 70 may be threaded bolts with threaded nuts or threaded fixtures. In some embodiments, the threaded nuts may be seated at a respective first and second mount body 22, 24 to be rotationally fixed while the respective bolt is threadably engaged therewith.
Brace surface 78 of first and second mount bodies 22, 24 may be provided with one or more features to aid in grasping and otherwise engaging with post 8, as well as to diminish the transmission of vibrations. In some embodiments, at least a portion of first and/or second mount bodies 22, 24, including brace surface 78 includes a covering material such as an elastomer or other suitable material that provides a compliant and vibration-reducing surface. Brace surface 78 may exhibit a hardness that is desirable for enhancing engagement to post 8. In some embodiments, brace surface 78 exhibits a hardness of between 90 Shore A and 70 Shore D.
Brace surface 78 may further exhibit a surface roughness 94 for enhancing grip to post 8. In the illustrated embodiment, surface roughness 94 may comprise an array of spaced apart protrusions 95. In some embodiments, protrusions 95 exhibit a hardness of between 90 Shore A and 70 Shore D. Other configurations for surface roughness 94 are also contemplated by the present invention, including various patterns and combinations of grooves, recesses, and protrusions.
Base plate 28 may be fixedly secured to adaptor body 132 so that mounting apparatus is adaptable to both the AMPS standard mounting pattern (four holes located in a rectangular pattern spaced at 30.17mm x 38.05mm) and the VESA standard mounting pattern (four holes located in a square pattern spaced at either 75mm each or 100mm each). Adaptor body 132 includes apertures or recesses 133 that set in an AMPS standard spaced array. Base plate may be secured to the AMPS standard array 133 of adaptor body 132 at mounting features 96. Base plate 28 preferably includes one or more sets of mounting features 98 that are set in the VESA standard spacing array. As such, electronic devices 30 compliant with one of these standards may be mounted either to adaptor body 132 or to base plate 28.
As illustrated in Figure 12, mounting apparatus 10 may include a second arm 112 extending between a third pivot joint 114 and a fourth pivot joint 116. Third pivot joint 114 is rotatably connected about a third pivot axis 118 to second body 24 of mount 20. Fourth pivot joint 116 is rotatably connected about a fourth pivot axis 126 to a base plate 128 that is specifically configured for removable connection to an electronic device 130. In this embodiment, a single mount 20 may adjustably support two electronic devices 30, 130.
The invention has been described herein in considerable detail in order to comply with the patent statutes, and to provide those skilled in the art with the information needed to apply the novel principles and to construct and use embodiments of the invention as required. However, it is to be understood that various modifications can be accomplished without departing from the scope of the invention itself.