Link device

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a link device for supporting an object according to the preamble of the independent claim.

Background of the invention

Link assemblies, such as flexible arms, have many uses. For example, they may be used for adjustably supporting different objects, such as electronic devices, lamps, tools, microphones or similar.

In USRE38897E El an elongated flexible member capable of being formed into a plurality of different shapes is disclosed. The elongated flexible member comprises a plurality of interconnected members. Frictional forces functions as retaining means to hold one segment at any desired location relative to an interconnected segment.

EPO 167345 Al D2 discloses an assembly including a plurality of elements threaded on to a tensioning cable. The elements can be inclined relative to one another to allow the assembly to adopt any desired curvature. When a tensioning device is operated, the elements are urged together so that they lock the assembly in the curvature pattern adopted.

In US2008251662 Al, an articulated support assembly for supporting accessories and comprising a segmented extension arm is disclosed. The segmented arm comprises first and second segments being disposed adjacent to one another, and wherein the first and second segments comprises mating surfaces. The tensioning mechanism of the articulated support assembly preferably comprises a tensioning wire extending through a center aperture of the segments.

WO2011/006502 Al discloses an adjustable support in the form of a headrest comprising a flexible arm. The arm is made up of identical segments that can pivot in relation to each other. A wire holds the arm together and may be loosened by an adjusting mechanism controlled by a knob. Partially cylindrical surfaces on opposing ends of segments have teeth-like projections extending transversely of the partially cylindrical faces for mutual engagement and securing mutual position of adjacent segments.

US2003086240 Al, WO2011006502 Al and US2010078536 Al shows further examples of different types of link assemblies.

The inventors of the present invention has identified a need for an improved link device, with improved clamping action and which easily may be reshaped into a desired shape.

Thus, an object of the present invention is to provide an improved link device, with improved stability and which easily may be loosened, reshaped and subsequently fixed again.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a link device with improved links with respect to friction and locking possibilities between the links.

Yet another object is to provide a link device comprising improved links which quickly disengage with each other once the locking mechanism has been released.

Summary of the invention

The above-mentioned objects are achieved by the present invention according to the independent claim.

Preferred embodiments are set forth in the dependent claims.

In accordance with the present invention, the link device for supporting an object, comprises an elongated flexible body comprising a plurality of interconnected link elements, and a tensioning means extending along said flexible body and adapted to provide a tension force adapted to fixate said link elements in relation to each other. The link device further comprises a locking mechanism, adapted to adjust said tension force provided by said tensioning means and to maintain a desired tension force. The link elements are consecutively arranged, each link element comprising at least a first engaging surface and at least a second engaging surface, and wherein said engaging surfaces of two consecutive link elements are adapted to matingly engage each other when said tension force is applied. Each link element is pivotally interconnected to at least one consecutive link element, and a plurality of said link elements are resiliently interconnected to said consecutive link element.

The link device is provided with a resilient member adapted to actively disengage the first and second engaging surfaces which provides the quickly disengagement.

Short description of the appended drawings

Figure 1 shows a part of the elongated flexible body of the link device, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2a-c shows three different views of one of the link elements comprised in the elongated flexible body shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 shows two consecutive interconnected link elements, according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4a-c shows three different views of one of the link elements shown in Figure 3. Figure 5 shows a plurality of interconnected link elements according to yet another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 6 shows the locking mechanism according to one embodiment of the present invention, the locking mechanism being arranged at one end of said elongated flexible body.

Figure 7 shows the link device provided with a supporting means supporting a display unit.

Figure 8a-c shows three different views of a further embodiment of a link element according to the present invention.

Figure 9a shows a link device comprising a plurality of interconnected link elements as shown in Figure 8a-c, according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 9b shows a link device comprising a plurality of interconnected link elements, according to a further embodiment of the present invention. Figure 10 shows a cut-through view of two interconnected link elements as shown in Figure 8a-c.

Figure 11 shows a further embodiment of a link element according to the present invention.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention

In Figure 1 a part of the link device 1 for supporting an object, according to one embodiment of the present invention, is shown. The link device 1 comprises an elongated flexible body 2 comprising a plurality of interconnected link elements 3, and a tensioning means 4 extending along the flexible body 2 and being adapted to provide a tension force adapted to fixate the link elements 3 in relation to each other. A locking mechanism (not shown) is adapted to adjust the tension force provided by the tensioning means 4, and to maintain a desired tension force. As seen in Figure 1, the link elements 3 are consecutively arranged, each link element 3 comprising at least a first engaging surface 5 and at least a second engaging surface 6, and the engaging surfaces 5, 6 of two consecutive link elements 3 are adapted to matingly engage each other when the tension force is applied. Furthermore, each link element 3 is pivotally interconnected to at least one consecutive link element 3, and a plurality of the link elements 3 are resilient ly interconnected to the consecutive link element 3.

In use, the link device 1 has two states, a tensioned state and a released state. In the tensioned state, a tension force is applied by the tensioning means 4 such that the link elements 3 are fixed in relation to each other. The locking mechanism 7 (shown in Figure 6) ensures that the desired tension force is maintained. In the tensioned state, the elongated flexible body 2- is essentially rigid such that the link device 1 is able to support different objects.

Once the locking mechanism 7 is released, the engaging surfaces 5, 6 disengage each other such that the elongated flexible body 2 is re-shapeable. Thus, the link device 1 is then in its released state. The resilient interconnection between the link elements 3 is advantageous in that the engaging surfaces 5, 6 quickly and easily disengage each other when the locking mechanism 7 is released.

As shown in Figures 2a-c, the plurality of link elements 3 comprises at least one resilient member 8 adapted to disengage the first engaging surface 5 from the second engaging surface 6 of the consecutive link elements 3, when the locking mechanism 7 is released.

According to one embodiment, more than 50 % of the link elements 3 comprises the at least one resilient member 8. However, in another embodiment each one of the link elements 3 comprises the at least one resilient member 8.

In one embodiment, the link elements 3 are interconnected via pivot pins 9, such that each link element 3 comprises a pivot pin 9 and at least one pivot pin hole 10, as shown in Figures 2a-c. In Figures 2a-c, the resilient member 8 comprises a first resilient pin 11 and a second resilient pin 12 adapted to suspend the pivot pin 9 in connection with the pivot pin hole 10. However, as an obvious constructional variation the resilient member 8 may comprise more than two resilient pins adapted to suspend the pivot pin 9. A first end 13 of the resilient pin is attached to the link element 3 and the opposite end forms a supporting surface 14 adapted to suspend the pivot pin 9.

In Figures 2a-c, it is further shown that the link element 3 has a first engaging surface 5 and a second engaging surface 6. The first engaging surface 5 and the second engaging surface 6 comprises tooth-like projections adapted to matingly engage each other.

However, the engaging surfaces 5, 6 may be provided with other matching patterns.

According to another embodiment, the first and second engaging surfaces 5, 6 engage each other by means of friction, for example by providing said engaging surfaces 5,6 with a material which provides sufficient friction to fixate the link elements 3 with respect to each other, such as rubber or soft plastics or similar. According to the embodiment illustrated in Figures 2a-c, the first engaging surface 5 is concave and the second engaging surface 6 is convex. A first interconnection portion 15a and a second interconnection portion 15b extends from the concave engaging surface 5, the first and second interconnection portions 15 a, 15b respectively comprising at least one pivot pin hole 10. The first interconnection portion 15a and the second interconnection portion 15b may abut against additional engaging surfaces 33, 34 of the consecutive link element 3, such that the strength of the interconnection between the link elements 3 is further improved.

In another embodiment, as shown in Figure 3, the link element 3 comprises a plurality of first engaging surfaces 5a, 5b and a plurality of second engaging surfaces 6a, 6b. The first engaging surfaces 5a, 5b are convex and the second engaging surfaces 6a, 6b are concave. The link element 3 further comprises a first interconnection portion 15a and a second interconnection portion 15b extending from one of said engaging surfaces, respectively comprising at least one pivot pin hole 10. The first engaging surface 5a is arranged at the first interconnection portion 15a and the second engaging surface 5b is arranged at the second interconnection portion 15b.

Figures 4a-4c illustrates three different views of one of the link elements 3 shown in Figure 3. As seen in Figure 4b, a space 17 is provided between the first interconnection portion 15a and a second interconnection portion 15b, such that a pivot portion 16 comprising the at least one pivot pin 9, of a consecutive link element 3 may be arranged in the space 17 between the first interconnection portion 15a and the second interconnection portion 15b.

According to the embodiment shown in Figures 3-4 the resilient interconnection is provided by means of a cavity 31 providing an elongated resilient portion 32 which acts as a resilient member, the cavity 31 being provided in the pivot portion 16 of the link element 3. As seen in Figure 4b, the cavity 31 is elongated and has a semi-circular shape. Figure 4b further shows that the pivot pin hole 10 is larger than the pivot pin 9.

According to another embodiment, the resilient interconnection may be provided by that the pivot pin 9 is resiliently mounted in said pivot portion 16. In one embodiment the pivot pin 9 may comprises two separate pivot pin portions respectively protruding from opposite sides of the pivot portion 16.

According to one embodiment, the resilient member 8 acts as a spring, which forces the engaging surfaces 5, 6 to disengage when the locking mechanism 7 is released. In one embodiment, as illustrated in Figure 5, the resilient member 8 is S-shaped. However, the resilient member 8 may be U-shaped, or may have any other suitable shape.

In one embodiment, the tensioning means 4 is a tensioning wire extending through the link elements 3. Each link element 3 is then provided with a through-hole (not shown) through which the tensioning wire may extend along the elongated flexible body 2.

According to the embodiment shown in Figure 6, the locking mechanism 7 comprises a rack and pinion device adapted to lock the tensioning wire and a tensioning lever 24 adapted to adjust the tension force acting on the tensioning wire 4. The tension force is increased by moving the tensioning lever 24 up and down. More in detail, the locking mechanism 7 comprises a rack 25, a pusher 26, a spring-loaded catch 27 which is adapted to be released by pushing a first button 28, and means 29 for lowering the tensioning lever 24 once a desired tensioning force has been achieved. The lowering of the tensioning lever 24 is preferably performed by pushing a second button 30. However, the locking mechanism may, as an obvious constructional variation, comprise any other suitable means for locking and tensioning. In one embodiment, the adjustment of the tension force provided by the tensioning means and the maintaining of the desired tension force of the locking mechanism 7 is provided by a motor tensioner. In another embodiment, the locking mechanism 7 comprises a spring tensioner.

According to another embodiment, as shown in Figure 7, the tensioning means 4 is a covering 18 enclosing and extending along the elongated flexible body 2. The covering 18 may be padded, such that the elongated flexible body 2 is soft at the outside. The casing 18 is preferably made from fabric. As further illustrated in Figure 7, the link device 1 comprises at least one supporting means 22 adapted to support an object, the supporting means 22 being arranged at a first end 19 of the elongated flexible body 2. In Figure 7, the link device 1 supports a display unit 20, and the locking mechanism 7 is arranged at an opposite second end 23 of the elongated flexible body 2 with respect to the supporting means 22. However, the link device may be used to support a plurality of different objects, such as cameras, lamps, surgical instruments, dental equipment, laboratory equipment, speakers, microphones and other recording equipment, reflectors and other equipment in a photo or movie studios, phones, GPS, instruments in a driver ^' s cab of a vehicle, night binoculars, diving equipment, musical instruments, such as cymbals and others, and similar.

The link device may further be used, as fixture in manufacturing, in connection with fixation of fractures, implemented in toys, as holder of signs, in connection with mooring boats for keeping the boat at a distance from the pier, or for securing a bike on the roof rack of a vehicle, or in any other suitable context where a support is needed.

The link elements 3 may be made from plastics or metal, or other suitable material.

Figures 8a-c shows three different views of a further embodiment of link element 3.

Figure 9a shows a link device 40 comprising interconnected link elements 3 of Figures 8a- c. Similarly to previous embodiments of a link device, this link device 40 can comprise at least one supporting means 22 as illustrated in Figure 7.

As in previous embodiments, the link elements 3 comprise pivot pins 9 and pivot pin holes 10 adapted to engage each other when the link elements are connected to form link device 40. The pivot pin holes 10 are slightly larger than pivot pins 9. The pivot pin holes 10 are provided on first and second interconnection portions 15 a, 15b extending from the engaging surfaces. For the different embodiments describes in the present invention where an arrangement is used where each link element is suspended using an axial attachment such as pivot pins and corresponding pivot pin holes, and wherein each link element is rotated 90 degrees in relation to an interconnected link element, a stable and rotationally fixed arrangement is obtained. Furthermore, the pivot pin connection ensures that the link elements are held together without applying strain to the tensioning means when not activated, and can withstand any pulling forces along the length of the link device.

In all embodiments of the invention, each link element 3 is adapted to tilt in relation to two connected link elements 3, one before and one after in the plurality of link elements in a link device. Thereby, each link element 3 is defined by two tilting planes, both planes being, in a central position, parallel to the longitudinal axis of the link device and perpendicular to each other. Referring to the embodiment shown in Figures 8a-c, a first tilting plane extends along the longitudinal axis and through the centers of the pivot pins 9. A second tilting plane extends along the longitudinal axis and through the pivot pin holes 10 of the same link element. It follows that each link element is also defined by a normal plane being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and hence also to the two tilting planes.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 8a-c and 9, the link elements 3 comprise a plurality of angled first engaging surface members 45a, 45b. The angled engaging surface members 45 a, 45b are angled in relation to the plane perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the link elements 3, which is illustrated as angle a in Figure 8a. In other words, angle a is the angle provided between the normal plane and the outline of a first engaging surface member 45a, 45b when the link element is projected on the first tilting plane.

Angle a is preferably between 0-45 degrees, more preferably 10-30 degrees and most preferably 20-25 degrees. First engaging surface members 45a, 45b matingly engage with a plurality of angled second engaging surface members 56a, 56b, as illustrated in Figure 8c, of a consecutive link element 3, when a tensioning means (not shown) is applied to the link device 40. The angle of the second engaging surface members 56a, 56b is equivalent to the angle a of the first engaging surface members 45 a, 45b. The first and second engaging surface members can be provided with tooth-like projections or a material which provides sufficient friction to fixate the surfaces against each other when pressed together. As can best be seen in Figure 8b, the projected shape of each first engaging surface member 45a, 45b forms a semi-circular outline with a center point in the center of a respective pivot pin 9. This can be applied to the first engaging surfaces of all

embodiments of the invention. In the embodiment of Figures 8a-c, each first engaging surface member 45a, 45b is further provided in a semi-frustoconical shape, i.e. is defined by the shape of a part of a cone whose tip has been truncated by a plane parallel to its base, the center of the cone being defined by the pivot pin 9.

Furthermore, in yet another embodiment, the angle a on one side of the link element 3 can be different from the angle a on the opposite side, as long as each first engaging surface member 45 a, 45b has an equivalent angle to that of its respective matching second engaging surface member 56a, 56b on a consecutive link element 3. Each link element 3 in a link device 40 can have the same angles along the same side of the link elements, or have different or varying angles along the lengths of the link device 40. Providing different angles on opposite side of a link element 3, especially in combination with a flexible suspension of the pivoting pins, e.g. such as described in connection with Figures 2 and 5, or a non-perpendicular pivoting axis, could bias the link device 40 to bend in specific directions. The link elements 3 are resiliently suspended in relation to one another by means of a leaf spring 58, which is illustrated in Figure 10. Figure 10 shows a cut-through view of the link device 40 of Figure 9a. Tensioning means 4 (not shown) extends through a groove 47 and a connecting through-going hole in each link element 3, and through a hole in leaf spring 58, as illustrated by the dotted line in Figure 10. Leaf spring 58 is mounted such that it is suspended between spring mounting grooves 60 of one link element 3 and spring engaging surfaces 59 of a consecutive link element 3. Hereby the leaf spring 58 is adapted to actively disengage the first engaging surface members 45 a, 45b and second engaging surface members 56a, 56b, which provides quick disengagement when the locking mechanism is released. The leaf spring 58 acts as a spring. In this embodiment, leaf spring 58 can be made of metal, plastic or other suitable materials, and can be provided separately from the link element 3. The use of leaf spring 58 is one example of a resilient member adapted to disengage the engaging surfaces, and other types and shapes of springs are also within the scope of the invention. Furthermore, the resilient member can be mounted between two interconnected link elements in a variety of ways, as long as they are mounted such that the resilient member acts to disengage the first engaging surfaces from the second engaging surfaces, when the link elements are interconnected to form an elongated link device.

The advantage of using angled engaging surfaces is that when the link device 40 is bent, i.e. when the individual link elements 3 are angled relative to one another, the link device 40 maintains a rounded outer shape. This can most clearly be understood by viewing

Figure 9a, wherein can be seen that the outer edges of first engaging surface members 45 a, 45b contribute to a rounded outer surface of the link device 40 when it is bent.

By placing the resilient member, i.e. leaf spring 58 or an equivalent member, enclosed within the link device 40, the advantage is that the resilient member is protected from damage or unwanted forces due to outer factors. Furthermore, by placing the resilient member along the longitudinal axis of the link device, and such that a tensioning wire 4 is threaded through the resilient member, a more stable device is obtained. In an alternative embodiment, an enclosed resilient member, such as a leaf spring 58, can be combined with non-angled engaging surfaces. On the other hand, angled engaging surfaces, such as shown in Figures 8a-c, can be combined with any of the resilient member combinations previously described, such as pivot pins suspended by resilient pins, shown in Figures 2a-c, the elongated cavity shown in Figures 4a-c, or a resilient portion in connection with pivot pin holes, as shown in Figure 5.

Also shown in Figures 8a-c, 9a and 9b is a rounded guard 53. This protruding guard provides a means to prohibit over-bending the link device 40, such that when bending the link device 40, the top of guard 53 of one link element 3 abuts the bottom of guard 53 of a connecting link element 3. This is illustrated by the dotted arrows in Figure 9a. Hereby, the shape of the guard 53 can be adapted to a chosen maximum bending angle of each link element relative to each other. Furthermore, the guard 53 contributes to the overall rounded outer shape of the link device 40 and, as mentioned earlier in connection to Figure 2a-b, provides additional engaging surfaces which abut against the interconnection portions 15 a, 15 b of a consecutive link element 3. The link element 3 can also be provided with further guiding means, such as a groove 54a and matching guide 54b, as shown in Figure 9b. The guard 53 and guiding means 54a, 54b increase the overall stability and further prevents rotation of interconnected link elements in relation to each other.

In another embodiment, shown in Figure 11 , a resilient member 8 is provided in the form of wings 8, hereby providing a resilient suspension similar to previous embodiments. The link element 3 is provided with pivot pins 9 and pivot pin holes 10, whereby the wing 8 are adapted to provide a resilient connection when the pivot pins 9 are mounted in the pivot pin holes 10. As seen in Figure 11, the link element is provided with angled first engaging surface members 45 a, 45b adapted to engage second engaging surface members 56a, 56b of an interconnected link element. The advantages of using this embodiment is that the advantages of angled engaging surfaces contributing to an outer rounded surface of the link device, as described above, are added to the advantage of being able to manufacture each link element in one piece, i.e. by injection molding or compression moulding. However, as an obvious constructional variation, the link element 3 can be provided with non-angled engaging surfaces in combination with resilient wings 8.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described preferred embodiments. Various alternatives, modifications and equivalents may be used. Therefore, the above embodiments should not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention, which is defined by the appending claims.