Abstract:
A retention system for restraining and releasing a movable monitor including a monitor, a latch bail, and a latching assembly with one of the latch bail and the latching assembly being connected to the monitor. The latching assembly includes a latch base, a latch, and a tensioning device. The latch base has at least one ear and the latch has at least one arm. The latch is pivotally connected to the latch base such that the latch is rotatable between closed and open positions. The tensioning device engages the latch and the latch base such that the tensioning device pulls the latch toward either of the open or closed positions. The latching assembly receives the latch bail such that the latch bail is retained between the ear and the arm when the latch is in the closed position.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to a mechanism for retaining and releasing movable monitors or screens. More particularly, certain embodiments of the present invention relate to a latching system for retaining and releasing a liquid crystal display (“LCD”) monitor mounted on an articulating arm system.  
         [0002]     Flat screen monitors, specifically, LCD monitors, are becoming increasingly popular computer accessories in the business and medical worlds. Because of their thin profile and light weight, flat screen monitors take up less space than conventional monitors and may be mounted to mobile actuation arm systems. These actuation arms are similar to those commonly used with lamps and lighting systems and have different pivot points such that the monitors may be moved to any number of desirable orientations. The maneuverability of a monitor is an extremely useful feature. For example, the user can move the monitor to a more visible and ergonomically correct position depending on the user&#39;s location and activity. The maneuverability of the monitor is especially beneficial during a medical procedure where the monitor may have to be adjusted to different positions during the course of the procedure.  
         [0003]     However, the maneuverability of the monitors also provides some drawbacks. Because the monitors are light-weight and the actuation arms can wear down and become loose at the pivot points, the monitors can at times be inadvertently moved by the slightest contact or even drift out of position on their own. This “free movement” of the monitors puts them at a high risk for damage and also makes them a nuisance or even a safety hazard to the user.  
         [0004]     Therefore, a need exists for a mechanism for retaining and releasing mobile monitors such that their movement may be better controlled.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     Certain embodiments of the present invention include a retention system for restraining a movable monitor including a monitor, a latch bail, and a latching assembly with one of the latch bail and the latching assembly being connected to the monitor. The latching assembly includes a latch base, a latch, and a tensioning device. The latch base has at least one ear and the latch has at least one arm. The latch is pivotally connected to the latch base such that the latch is rotatable between closed and open positions. The tensioning device engages the latch and the latch base such that the tensioning device pulls the latch toward either of the open or closed positions. The latching assembly receives the latch bail such that the latch bail is retained between the ear and the arm when the latch is in the closed position.  
         [0006]     Certain embodiments of the invention include a retention system for restraining and releasing a monitor mounted on a movable actuation arm. The system includes a monitor, a latch bail connected to the monitor, and a latching assembly. The latching assembly includes a latch base, a latch, and a tensioning device. The latch base has at least one ear and the latch has at least one latch arm. The latch base is connected to a mounting surface and the latch is connected to the latch base such that the latch is rotatable with respect to the latch base between a closed and open position. The tensioning device engages the latch and the latch base such that the tensioning device retains the latch in either of the open or closed positions. The latching assembly receives the latch bail between the ear and the latch arm when the latch is in the closed position such that the monitor is restrained in movement. The latch is movable toward the open position such that the latch bail is released from between the ear and the latch arm.  
         [0007]     Certain embodiments of the invention include a method for restraining a monitor connected to a movable actuation arm. The method further includes providing a monitor with a latch bail connected thereto and providing a latching assembly having a latch rotatably connected to a latch base and movable about the latch base between an open and a closed position. The method further includes moving the monitor toward the latching assembly and engaging the latching assembly such that, where the latching assembly is in the open position, the latch rotates to the closed position to restrainably receive the latch bail, and where the latching assembly is in the closed position, the latch rotates toward the open position to such a degree that the latch bail is received between the latch and the latch base and the latch rotates back to the closed position to restrainably receive the latch bail. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]      FIG. 1  illustrates an isometric view of a conventional computer assembly formed according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0009]      FIG. 2  illustrates an exploded isometric view of the latching assembly from  FIG. 1  formed according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0010]      FIG. 3  illustrates a bottom isometric view of the latch base from  FIG. 2 .  
         [0011]      FIG. 4  illustrates an isometric view of the latch from  FIG. 2 .  
         [0012]      FIG. 5  illustrates a bottom isometric view of the tensioning device retainer from  FIG. 2 .  
         [0013]      FIG. 6  illustrates an isometric view of the latching assembly from  FIG. 1 .  
         [0014]      FIG. 7  illustrates an isometric view of the latch bail from  FIG. 1 .  
         [0015]      FIG. 8  illustrates a cross-sectional side view of the monitor from  FIG. 1  and the latching assembly from  FIG. 6  in the open position.  
         [0016]      FIG. 9  illustrates a cross-sectional side view of the monitor from  FIG. 1  and the latching assembly from  FIG. 6  in the closed position. 
     
    
       [0017]     The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of certain embodiments of the present invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings, certain embodiments. It should be understood, however, that the present invention is not limited to the arrangements and instrumentality shown in the attached drawings.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0018]      FIG. 1  illustrates an isometric view of a computer assembly  10 . The computer assembly includes a monitor  14  and a hard drive  18 . By way of example only, the monitor  14  may be an LCD monitor. The monitor  14  has at least one screen  22  on a front side  26  and is connected at a back side  30  to an actuation arm (not shown). The actuation arm allows for an operator to freely move the monitor  14  to any number of different desired positions such that the operator can view the screen  22 . The monitor  14  also includes handle-shaped latch bail  34  extending out from the front side  26  thereof. The latch bail  34  may be connected to the monitor  14  by any number methods or may be integral with the monitor  14 . The latch bail  34  may be made out of plastic or metal or any other number of other suitable materials. By way of example only, the latch bail  34  may be made of aluminum. The latch bail  34  has a rod  38  that is oriented generally parallel with the front side  26  of the monitor  14 . In alternative embodiments, the latch bail  34  may have any number of different shapes and orientations, for example, the rod  38  of the latch bail  34  may extend downward or forward perpendicularly from the front side  26 .  
         [0019]     The computer assembly  10  also includes a docking or latching assembly  42 . The latching assembly  42  includes a latch base  46  connected to a latch  50 . The latch base  46  is connected by any number of different methods to the hard drive  18 . Alternatively, the latch base  46  may be connected to a desk top or any other grounded or secured mounting surface proximate the monitor  14 . The latch assembly  42  may be made of any low friction inducing material. By way of example only, the latch assembly  42  is made of plastic. The latch bail  34  is received within the latching assembly  42  between the latch base  46  and the latch  50  such that the movement of the monitor  14  is limited in any direction. The latch assembly  42  may be opened such that the latch bail  34  is released and the monitor  14  may be moved.  
         [0020]      FIG. 2  illustrates an exploded isometric view of the latching assembly  42  of  FIG. 1 . The latch base  46  has a base plate  54  with an end wall  58  extending from one end and a latching section  62  extending from the opposite end. The latching section  62  includes rounded ears  70  extending out at opposite sides of the latching section  62 . A cutout  72  defined by an engagement surface  78  and a ledge  80  extends between the ears  70  along the latching section  62 . The latching section  62  includes a base lip  74  that extends downward and perpendicular from the engagement surface  78  away form the ears  70 . The engagement surface  78  includes a spring aperture  82  extending therethrough. The ears  70  include pinholes  96  extending therethrough to the cutout  72 . The ears  70  have a wear-impact surface  86  extending along the surfaces thereof. The base plate  54  further includes apertures  66  through which screws or other fasteners may be inserted to connect the latch base  46  to a mounting surface. The base plate  54  includes a stop surface  90  proximate the latching section  62 . A wear-impact surface  92  extends along a portion of the base plate  54  and the end wall  58 . In operation, the latch base  46  receives the monitor  14  ( FIG. 1 ) along the base plate  54  between the end wall  58  and the ears  70 . The wear impact surfaces  92  and  86  on the end wall  58  and the ears  70 , respectively, operates to protect both the latch base  46  and monitor  14  from wear.  
         [0021]      FIG. 3  illustrates a bottom isometric view of the latch base  46 . The base plate  54  has a support block  182  extending therefrom for supporting the latch base  46  when the latch base  46  is mounted to a surface. The lip  74  includes a thin gap  186  along a bottom surface  190  thereof. The gap  186  is partly defined by ledges  194  on opposite sides thereof such that the gap  186  can receive and retain a pin  142  ( FIG. 2 ) therein against the ledges  194 .  
         [0022]     Returning to  FIG. 2 , the latch  50  includes a base  94  with curved arms  98  from opposite sides thereof to define gaps  102  between the arms  98  and the base  94 . The arms  98  have wear-impact surfaces  106  extending along the surface thereof. The base  94  includes a curved handle  114  extending therefrom proximate the arms  98 .  
         [0023]      FIG. 4  illustrates an isometric view of the latch  50  of  FIG. 2 . The base  94  of the latch  50  has a square hole  128 . The base  94  also has a bottom side  130  from which extends a rounded pivot section  118 . The pivot section  118  includes an aperture  122  extending therethrough. A stop bar  126  also extends from the bottom side  130  of the base  94 .  
         [0024]     Returning to  FIG. 2 , the latch assembly further includes a tensioning device  134 , a tensioning device retainer  138 , and pin  142 , pin  144 , and pins  146 . When the latching assembly  42  is assembled, the latch  50  is positioned within the cutout  72  of the latch base  46  with the arms  98  curved toward the ears  70 , the pivot section  118  engaging the engagement surface  78  and the ledge  80 , and the aperture  122  in the pivot section  118  aligned with the pinholes  96  in the ears  70 . The pins  146  are then inserted through the pinholes  96  of the ears  70  into the aperture  122  of the pivot section  118  to secure the latch  50  to the latch base  46 . The latch  50  can be pivoted about the pins  146 . The tensioning device or spring  134  has hooks  150  on opposite ends thereof. In an alternative embodiment, the tensioning device may any number of other devices that can be connected to two different points and be in tension between the points.  
         [0025]      FIG. 5  illustrates a bottom isometric view of the tensioning device retainer  138  of  FIG. 2 . The cap-shaped tensioning device retainer  138  has a base  154  from which extends a square-shaped wall  158  defining a hollow interior section  156 . The wall  158  has apertures  162  extending through parallel sections thereof. By way of example only, the tensioning device retainer  138  is made of aluminum.  
         [0026]     Returning to  FIG. 2 , to further assemble the latching assembly  42 , a hook  150  of the spring  134  is inserted into the spring aperture  82 . Pin  142  is extended through the hook  150  and the pin  142  is received in the gap  186  ( FIG. 3 ) under the lip  74 . The other hook  150  of the spring  134  is inserted into the interior section  156  ( FIG. 5 ) of the tensioning device retainer  138 . The pin  144  is then inserted through the apertures  162  in the tensioning device retainer  138  and the hook  150  to hold the spring  134  to the tensioning device retainer  138 . The tensioning device retainer  138  is then positioned in latch  50  the such that the wall  158  is received into the hole  128  of the latch  50  and the base  154  of the tensioning device retainer  138  engages the base  94  of the latch  50 . The spring  134  is in tension between the latch base  46  and the tensioning device retainer  138  and holds the latch  50  to the latch base  46 .  
         [0027]      FIG. 6  illustrates an isometric view of the assembled latching assembly  42  from  FIG. 1 . The latching assembly  42  is assembled such that the latch  50  is in the closed position where the stop bar  126  ( FIG. 4 ) of the latch  50  engages the stop surface  90  ( FIG. 2 ) on the latch base  46  and the arms  98  and ears  70  define an enclosed region  198 . The spring  134  ( FIG. 2 ) holds the latch  50  in the closed position. In operation, the latch  50  can rotate about the pins  146  in the direction of arrow A to an open position where the lip  74  of the latch base  46  resistibly engages the handle  114  of the latch  50 . When the latch  50  is in the open position, it can be rotated about the pins  146  in the direction of arrow B from the open position back to the closed position. By way of example only, the latch  50  can rotate within a range of 40-45 degrees between the open and closed positions. By further way of example, the latch  50  can rotate 43.7 degrees between the open and closed positions. When the latch  50  has been rotated a certain distance from the closed position toward the open position, by way of example only, approximately 22 degrees, the spring  134  automatically shifts from pulling the latch  50  toward the closed position and applies a moment to the latch  50  to pull the latch  50  toward the open position. The spring  134  holds the latch  50  in the open position, but as the latch  50  is rotated a certain distance from the open position toward the closed position, the spring  134  automatically shifts from pulling the latch  50  toward the open position and applies a moment to the latch  50  to pull the latch  50  toward the closed position. In this operation, the spring  134  serves as a toggle device that can pull and hold the latch  50  in either position.  
         [0028]      FIG. 7  illustrates an isometric view of the latch bail  34  from  FIG. 1 . The latch bail  34  includes a base plate  166  formed perpendicularly with a side wall  170 . The base plate  166  includes apertures  174  through which fasteners may be inserted to connect the base plate  166  to the monitor  14  ( FIG. 1 ). The handle-shaped rod  38  extends from the side wall  170  to define a gap  178 .  
         [0029]      FIG. 8  illustrates a cross-sectional side view of the monitor  14  from  FIG. 1  and the latching assembly  42  from  FIG. 6  in the open position. When the latching assembly  42  is in the open position, the base  94  of the latch  50  engages the lip  74  of the latch base  46  and the pivot section  118  of the latch  50  engages the engagement surface  78  of the latch base  46 . The base  94  of the latch  50  extends out beyond the ears  70  of the latch base  46  between the ears  70  and the arms  98  of the latch  50 . The orientation of pivot section  118  on the engagement surface  78  with respect to the orientation of the spring  134  allows for the spring  134  to be in tension to hold the latch  50  in the open position.  
         [0030]     In operation, to dock the latch bail  34  within the latching assembly  42 , the monitor  14  is moved on an actuation arm  208  toward the latching assembly  42  such that the ears  70  of the latch base  46  are received into the gap  178  ( FIG. 7 ) of the latch bail  34  and the rod  38  of the latch bail  34  engages the base  94  of the latch  50 . As the rod  38  pushes against the base  94  in the direction of arrow C, the latch  50  is pushed to rotate in the direction of arrow B against the tension of the spring  134 . After the latch  50  has rotated a certain distance in the direction of arrow B, the orientation of the pivot section  118  on the engagement surface  78  with respect to the orientation of the spring  134  allows for the spring  134  in tension to pull the latch  50  toward the closed position. The latch  50  then moves to the closed position where the stop bar  126  engages the stop surface  90  of the latch base  46 . By way of example only, the latch  50  has to be rotated approximately 22 degrees from the open position toward the closed position for the spring  134  to pull the latch  50  into the closed position. In this operation, the spring  134  serves as a toggle device that can shift from automatically pulling the latch  50  to the open position to pulling the latch  50  to the closed position after the latch  50  has been rotated a certain distance to the closed position.  
         [0031]      FIG. 9  illustrates a cross-sectional side view of the latching assembly  42  receiving the latch bail  34  and in the closed position. The latch  50  is in the closed position and the rod  38  of the latch bail  34  is received within the enclosed region  198  ( FIG. 6 ) between the ears  70  of the latch base  46  and the arms  98  of the latch  50 . Also, the monitor  14  is situated on the base plate  54  of the latch base  46  between the ears  70  and the end wall  58 . The spring  134  is in tension to hold the latch  50  in the closed position about the latch bail  34 . In this manner, the latching assembly  42  generally retains or restrains the monitor  14  from moving in any number of directions. Specifically, the ears  70  prevent the latch bail  34  from moving in the direction of arrow E by engaging the rod  38  and prevent the latch bail  34  from moving in the direction of arrow F by engaging the side wall  170  of the latch bail  34 . Also, the latch  50  prevents the latch bail  34  from moving in the direction of arrow D because as the rod  38  moves in the direction of arrow D, the rod  38  engages the arm  98  at a pivot point such that the arm  98  does not rotate.  
         [0032]     In order to release the latch bail  34  from the latching assembly  42  so that the monitor  14  can be freely moved, the operator simply depresses the handle  114  of the latch  50  in the direction of arrow A. After the latch  50  has been rotated a certain distance in the direction of arrow A, the orientation of the pivot section  118  on the engagement surface  78  with respect to the orientation of the spring  134  allows for the spring  134  to be in tension to pull the latch  50  toward the open position. The latch  50  then rotates to the open position where the base  94  of the latch  50  engages the lip  74  of the latch base  46 . The tension load on the latch  50  as it is rotated toward the open position assists to eject the latch bail  34  during undocking. The operator may then pull the latch bail  34  away from the latching assembly  42 . By way of example only, the latch  50  has to be rotated approximately 22 degrees from the closed position toward the open position for the spring  134  to pull the latch  50  into the open position.  
         [0033]     Alternatively, an operator can secure the latch bail  34  into the latching assembly  42  when the latching assembly  42  in already in the closed position. When the latching assembly  42  is in the closed position as shown in  FIG. 9 , the monitor  14  is moved toward the latching assembly  42  such that the rod  38  engages the curved ears  70  at an inside surface or ramp  200  and the curved arms  98  at a top surface or ramp  204  in the general direction of Arrow C. Because the wear impact surfaces  86  and  106  of the ears  70  and arms  98 , respectively, are smooth and create a minimal amount of friction, the arms  98  and the ears  70  are able to slidingly guide the rod  38  of the latch bail  34  therebetween such that the latch bail  34  pushes the arms  98 , and thus the entire latch  50 , in the direction of arrow A toward the open position. After the rod  38  slides past the top surface  204  of the arms  98  and against the base  94  of the latch  50  between the arms  98  and the ears  70 , the latch  50  is pulled back into the closed position by the spring  134  to secure the latch bail  34  in the latching assembly  42 . Thus, the operator need not even touch the latch  50  to secure the latch bail  34  into the latching assembly  42 .  
         [0034]     In an alternative embodiment, the latching assembly  42  may be used to restrain any number of other kinds of monitors, screens, televisions, etc. that are connected to a free moving actuation arm system. In another alternative embodiment, the latch bail  34  may have any number of other shapes and/or orientations that allow for it to be restrained between the arms  98  and ears  70  of the latching assembly  42 . In another alternative embodiment, the latching assembly  42  may be structured and oriented such that it can receive the latch bail  34  from any number of different directions and orientations besides from above in the downward direction of Arrow C. For example, the latching base  46  and the latch  50  may be structured to extend outward in the direction opposite of the monitor  14  and receive the latch bail  34  from the direction of Arrow E. In a further alternative embodiment, the ears  70  of the latch base  46  and the arms  98  of the latch  50  may overlap each other or contact each other or one may be received within the other when the latch  50  in the closed position. Alternatively, the latch base  46  may include only one ear  70  or more than two ears  70  and the latch  50  may include only one arm  98  or more than two arms  98 . Alternatively, the latch base  46  may include the curved arms  98  and the latch  50  may include the rounded ears  70 . In a further alternative embodiment, the latching assembly  42  may be connected to the monitor  14  and the latch bail  34  may be connected to a mounting surface such that the latching assembly  42  on the monitor  14  is operated to secure the latching assembly  42  to the latch bail  34  connected to the mounting surface.  
         [0035]     The latching assembly of the different embodiments provides a number of benefits. First, the latching assembly provides a way to easily restrain a monitor connected to an actuation arm when an operator does not want the monitor to be moved. In this way, the latching assembly prevents the monitor from being damaged or becoming a nuisance for the operator.  
         [0036]     Second, the latch, when assembled with the tensioning device, becomes an over center mechanism that allows the system to receive and engage the latch bail in an open or closed configuration and allows the latch to remain in either the opened or closed positions. In this way, the latch operates as a toggle device. This toggle system is extremely helpful in restraining the monitor because an operator does not need to touch the latch in order to dock the latch bail in the latching system. In other words, the operator only needs one hand to guide the latch bail into the latching assembly regardless of whether the latching assembly is in the open position or not. Alternatively, only one hand is necessary to release the latch bail from the latching system because, subsequent to toggling the latch to the open position, the operator only needs to pick up the latch bail to remove the latch bail from the latch assembly. The tension load on the latch assists to eject the latch bail during undocking. Such a system is obviously beneficial in an office situation where the operator may be on the phone or engaged in some other activity. The system is especially beneficial in an operating room situation where a medical professional may only have one hand available to restrain or release a monitor.  
         [0037]     Third, one of the unique aspects of the latching assembly is the fact that it is clearly visible to the operator. Ergonomic studies have shown that unless the latching device and the item being latched are visible to the operator, the docking process becomes difficult.  
         [0038]     While the invention has been described with reference to certain embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.