Field of the Invention This invention relates to a releasable mounting system for mounting a variety of devices such as flat panel computer monitor screens or notebook computer supports to a support arm, so that the device can be supported above a work area.

Background of the Invention

Flat panel computer monitor screens are common place in many homes and offices today. They offer significant advantages over the cathode ray tube (CRT) style monitors that preceded them, especially in respect of their display size and the fact that they take up less space. This is important because modern workspaces are typically small in area, and people are looking for ways to efficiently use the space they have to maximise the area of their work space.

One of the ways this is achieved is to support flat screen computer monitors on support assemblies that can be anchored to a wall or to a panel of the work desk in the vicinity of the work area. This removes the need to use a monitor support stand that would otherwise sit on the desk, and take up valuable work space on the desktop.

In the case of notebook computers, it is often desirable support them up off the desktop by attaching them to the support arm of the support assembly. Having the notebook supported off the desktop surface frees up the valuable work space area it would otherwise occupy, and reduces the likelihood of damage or performance impairment to the notebook computer from having objects placed upon it that may damage the notebook's screen or block its ventilation for example. Support assemblies typically comprise a series of arms pivotally, and rotatably linked together, and a clamp to anchor the assembly to a desktop or wall. The support assemblies can be configured into a variety of shapes to permit the monitor or notebook to be properly supported up off the desktop, and to be optimally positioned to suit the user.

Such assemblies are in common use, especially in offices, around the world. It is desirable to for these types of support assemblies to be capable of allowing the object it is supporting to be connected to it or removed from it quickly and easily, without the need for any disassembly or external tooling. In some high pressure fast paced work places, like a trading floor trading stocks or currencies or the like, the IT infrastructure must be able to keep pace with the flow of data being received and the decisions being made by the traders. If a flat screen monitor suddenly fails, or develops a fault in such an environment, it is often vital that the faulty equipment can be removed and new equipment be put in its place.

Many attempts have been made to provide quick release mechanisms for flat panel display screens, but all are either difficult to operate, or require some disassembly and/or external tooling to enable the faulty or obsolete equipment to be swapped out with new equipment.

In another scenario, it is sometimes desirable to change over the type of equipment quickly and easily ^* . It may be desirable in a shared workspace for example, where one user of the space wants to use a flatscreen monitor, and another user wants to use a notebook computer support instead. Typically they are constructed to support only one or other type of object. The most common configuration today is for the arm to support a flat panel display. To reconfigure one so that a notebook computer support can be attached often requires disassembly, and also may require the use of tools. Any need for disassembly and reassembly, and/or the use of tools, will slow down the time and increase the effort required to make the change.

It is an object of the present invention to ameliorate at least some of the abovementioned problems by providing a quick release connector that permits quick and easy exchange of objects being supported on the adjustable support arm of the support assembly. Disclosure of the Invention

In one preferred form of the invention, the invention is a flat panel display screen mounting system that is capable of connecting the screen to a support arm. The system including:

- a clip

- a first and second linkage member

- a mount plate

wherein the clip includes a body, a pair of wings that extend angularly outwardly from the body, and biasing means. Each wing includes a projection that extends outwardly, and the wings are sized and spaced so as to accommodate the thumb and finger of a user so that the user can apply a squeezing force. When the user squeezes the wing like extensions with sufficient force to overcome the biasing means, the wings move towards one another, thereby causing each projection to move closer together. The body has a first and second end, and each end is rotatably connected to one end of a first and second linkage member respectively. The opposite end of the first and second linkage member is each rotatably connected to a corresponding first and second mounting means on a rear face of the mount plate. The mount plate includes an extension that extends orthogonally from a front face of the mount plate. The end of the support arm includes an opening that is capable of accommodating the clip. The opening includes a pair of juxtaposed recesses that is each capable of receiving a corresponding projection carried on a wing, so that in operation, the user is able to quick-connect the mounting system to the end of the support arm by using flieir thumb and finger to compress the clip so that it is able to be inserted into the opening in the support arm. When the compression is then released by the user, the biasing means causes the clip to spring back towards it normal rest position, thereby causing each projection to enter into, and be retained by, its respective recess. In another form of the invention, the invention is a flat panel display screen mounting system that is capable of connecting the screen to a support arm, the system including: - a clip

- a shaft

- a first and second linkage member

- a mount plate

wherein the clip includes a hollow body, a pair of wings that extend angularly outwardly from the hollow body, and biasing means. Each wing includes a projection that extends outwardly, and the wings are sized and spaced so as to accommodate the thumb and finger of a user so that the user can apply a squeezing force. When the operator squeezes the wing like extensions with sufficient force to overcome the biasing means, the wings move towards one another, thereby causing each projection to move closer together. The shaft has a central region along its length at which the diameter of the shaft is stepped down to a smaller diameter than the diameter of the remaining portions of the shaft at the opposite ends. The hollow body of the clip is sized so that its interior diameter closely matches with the external diameter of the stepped down diameter of the shaft. The shaft is thereby swivably restrained within the hollow body of the clip. The said shaft has a first and second end, and each end is rotatably connected to one end of a first and second linkage member respectively. The opposite end of the first and second linkage member is each ratably connected to a corresponding first and second mounting means on a rear face of the mount plate. The mount plate includes an extension that extends orthogonally from the front face of the mount plate. The end of the support arm includes an opening that is capable of accommodating the clip, and the opening includes a pair of juxtaposed recesses that is each respectively capable of receiving a corresponding projection carried on a wing, so that in operation, the user is able to quick-connect the mounting system to the end of the support arm by using their thumb and finger to compress the clip so that it is able to be inserted into the opening in the support arm. When the compression is then released by the user, the biasing means causes the clip to spring back towards it normal rest position, thereby causing each projection to enter into, and be retained by, its respective recess. Preferably the biasing means is provided by the natural resilience of the material from which the clip is manufactured.

Preferably the extension is mushroom shaped, thereby having a stem portion and a head portion, and the head portion is located at the opposite end of the stem from the front face of the mount plate.

Preferably the system includes a panel that is attachable to the electronic display screen to be supported on the support arm, and the panel includes releasable locking means that interengages with the said extension.

Preferably the panel includes a slot that extends upwardly from the lowermost edge of the panel partway along the height of the panel, and the slot is sufficiently wide so that it is able to slide onto the stem portion of the extension, but is sufficiently narrow so that the panel is retained on the stem by the said head portion of the extension.

Preferably the panel includes a latch that has at least one elongate member that overlays a side of the said slot in the panel, biasing means, and an actuator. The latch is arranged to pivot about a pivot point above the uppermost end of the slot so that the end of the elongate member can be rocked about the pivot point when the actuator is operated with sufficient force to overcome the biasing means, which in turn causes the end of the elongate member to move towards the panel.

Preferably the end of the elongate member includes a wedge shaped portion that impacts upon the head portion of the extension, so that as the panel and attached flat panel display screen is lowered onto the extension, the head portion of the extension forces the elongate member to move towards the panel against the bias of the biasing means. The upper end of the wedge shaped portion includes a shoulder, so that as soon as the wedge shaped portion clears the head portion, as the flat panel display is lowered onto the extension, the elongate member snaps back away from the panel under the influence of the biasing means, arid the panel is retained in position on the extension by the interengagement of the shoulder on the elongate member and the head portion. Preferably the panel and attached fiat panel electronic display is able to be removed from the extension by a user operating the actuator with sufficient force to overcome the bias of the biasing means, thereby rocking the lower end of the elongate member towards the panel, and thereby disengaging the shoulder with the head portion of the extension.

Preferably the panel has a hole located in the region between the uppermost end of the slot and the uppermost edge of the panel. The actuator is located on the uppermost end of the elongate member, and is in the form of a knob that extends sufficiently through the hole in the panel so that the knob extends beyond the rear face of the panel. The knob can therefore be pressed by a user which in turn forces the elongate member to pivot and force the shoulder to disengage with the head portion of the extension.

Preferably the biasing means for the latch is a spring.

Preferably the system gives the user a choice of removing the flat panel display screen from the support arm by either the user operating the actuator and lifting the panel and screen off the extension, or by the user squeezing the said wings of the clip to cause the said projection to disengage from their respective recess.

In order that the invention can be better understood it will now be described non- limitingly by reference to preferred embodiments as shown in the attached Figures. Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 is an isometric exploded view of the present invention configured to attach a flat panel display screen.

Figure 2 is an isometric view of the support assembly and connector means for a flat panel display screen in accordance with the present invention, (flat panel display screen is not shown)

Figure 3 is an isometric view of the quick release clip. Figure 4 is an isometric view illustrating how the quick release clip is used in conjunction with the end of the support arm. (flat panel display screen is not shown) Figure 5 is an isometric view of the quick release clip after it has been connected to the end of the support arm. (flat panel display screen is not shown)

Figure 6 shows a side view of the present invention configured to support a flat panel display screen.

Figure 7 and 8 are each side views of the present invention illustrating how an object such as a flat panel display screen (not shown) can he tilted up or down.

Figure 9 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the present invention where the flat panel display connector has been replaced with a notebook computer support.

Figure 10 illustrates the present invention configured to support a notebook computer.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments The various elements identified by numerals in the drawings are listed in the following integer list.

Integer List

1 adjustable quick release connector

3 shaft

4 narrow portion

5 clip

7 first pivotal connector

9 second pivotal connector

11 mount plate

15 extension

17 flat panel connector plate

19 slot

21 latch

23 gap

25 cover plate 27 support arm

29 first linkage member

30 second linkage member

31 first linkage member pivotal connector

33 second linkage member pivotal connector

35 elongate member

37 knob

39 raised wedge shaped portions

41 head portion

43 holes

45 pivotal connection

47 hole

49 collar

51 projection

53 cylindrical body

55 wings

57 longitudinal slot

59 recess

61 Flat panel display

63 notebook computer support

Turning firstly to Figure 1, we see an isometric exploded view of the present invention setup for connecting a variety of flatscreen display panels such as TVs or computer monitors. The configuration illustrated in Figure 1 is for connecting a flat screen display panel to the end of the support arm 27. As shown, the shaft 3 has pivotal connector means 7 at each end and a narrow portion 4 that interacts with a clip 5. The clip 5 surrounds the narrow portion 4 of the shaft 3, and connects it to the end of the support arm 27. The shaft 3 is capable of rotating within the collar formed by the clip 5. A first linkage member 29 and a second linkage member 30 is each pivotally connected to the shaft 3 at a respective end of the shaft 3 by the pivotal connector means 7. The opposite ends of each of the linkage members are pivotally connected to the mount plate 11 via the second pivotal connector 9. An extension 15 is either integrally formed onto or is attachable to the front face of the mount plate, tereby forming extension 15. Extension 15 includes a flange 41 at its distal end relative to the mount plate 11.

A flat. panel display connector assembly including a flat panel connector plate 17, latch 21 and the optional cover plate 25 is able to be slid upon the extension 15 via the vertical slot 19. Preferably the latch 21 comprises a body with a pair of legs 35 that are spaced sufficiently wide so that the extension 15 is able to slide up between them. The legs are close enough together so that the flange 41 retains the legs 39. The latch 21 is pivotally connected at 45 to the flat panel connector plate 17. The connector plate 17 has a hole 47 through which a knob 37 protrudes, A suitable biasing means, such as a leaf spring, biases the latch 21 so that the legs 35 are angled away from the plane of the flat panel connector plate 17, and the knob 37 protrudes at its maximum distance through hole 47. The end of each leg 35 has a raised wedge shaped portion 39. Finally cover plate 25 encloses the assembly. The connector assembly is fastenable to the back plate of a flat panel display screen (not shown) via the holes 43, The connector assembly is lifted onto the extension 15. The extension 15 slides up into the vertical slot 19. As it slides, the head portion 41 makes contact with the raised wedge shaped portions 39 at the bottom of the legs 35. The engagement forces the legs to overcome the bias and retract back towards the flat panel connector plate 17. The extension continues to slide up until it abuts against the top of the slot 1 at which point flange 41 clears the raised wedge shaped portions 3 , and they snap back outwardly to retain the flange within the slot. A collar shaped member 49 is formed in the connector plate 17 and sits behind the flange 41. To remove the connector assembly the user simply depresses the knob 37 into the connector assembly, which causes the latch 21 to rotate about its pivotal connector 45, thereby causing the legs 35 to retract back towards the flat panel connector plate 17 and moving the raised wedge shaped portions 39 out of engagement with the head portion 41. Then the monitor and connector assembly can be lifted off the extension 15.

The connector assembly can be attached or removed from the extension 15 with or without the flat panel display attached.

Figure 2 shows the connector assembly fully assembled and attached to the support arm 27.

Figure 3 shows the clip 5 has a cylindrical body 53 with a longitudinal slot 57 along its length. On each side of the slot is a wing 55, and each wing carries a projection 51. The finger clip is placed around the narrow portion 4 of the shaft 3, thereby forming a collar. As mentioned, the elongate member 3 is able to rotate within the collar. This arrangement allows the mounted flat panel display to swivel left or right on the end of the support arm 27.

As shown in Figure 4, when the flat panel display connector assembly is ready to be attached to the end of the support arm 27, a user grips the clip 5 and squeezes the wings 55 together, thereby narrowing the width of the longitudinal slot 19. This causes the projections 51 to move towards one another and allows the clip 5 to be insertable into the end of the support arm 27. Once it is properly located, the user stops squeezing, and the finger clip then springs back under its own resilience towards its normal rest condition, which in turn causes the projections 51 to extend outwardly and interengage with corresponding recesses 59 in the support arm 27, as shown in Figure 5. Figures 6, 7 and 8 illustrate how the arms 29 and 30 interact with one another as the flat panel 61 is tilted into a variety of positions.

Figures 9 and 10 show an alternate configuration where the flat panel connector assembly is replace with a notebook computer support 63.

In another embodiment, the rear of the notebook computer support is designed to be fastenable to the connector means, just like a flat panel display screen. This then enables it to be quick connected to, or quick releasable from the extension. A plurality of monitors and notebook computer supports can be pre-configured so that they can be taken out of store and quick connected to the extension.

Some of the advantages of this invention are that no tooling is required to change the object being supported by the support arm 27. A user can switch from a flat panel display 61 to a notebook computer support 63 simply by using the finger clip to detach and attach the desired item, or by using the quick release mechanism in the connector means.

Whilst the above description includes preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that many variations, alterations, modifications and/or additions may be introduced into the constructions and arrangements of parts previously described without departing from the essential features or the spirit or ambit of the invention.