Abstract:
A monitor mounting apparatus includes a base assembly having a first fixed portion and a second rotatable portion that is rotatably coupled to the first fixed portion about a first axis that is substantially perpendicular to the first fixed portion. The apparatus further includes a tensioning mechanism for operably and selectively adjusting frictional resistance to the rotatable coupling between the second rotatable portion and the first fixed portion. The apparatus also includes a monitor mounting plate that is operably coupled to the second rotatable portion of the base assembly, which monitor mounting plate is configured to operably receive display monitors thereto.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
   This application claims priority from U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/571,645, filed on May 14, 2004 and entitled MONITOR MOUNTING APPARATUS, the content of which is incorporated herein in its entirety. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to monitor mounting assemblies generally, and more particularly to monitor mounting assemblies that provide a compact mounting arrangement of a monitor to a mounting plate, in combination with the capability to selectively adjust the ease of rotation of the mounting plate about a fixed base in a relatively simple and inexpensive fashion. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   A relatively recent advance in the electronic processing of financial transactions has been the utilization of compact credit card readers that incorporate touch screen assemblies or the like for simultaneously reading account information from credit card magnetic strips, and optically verifying the signature of the card holder. Such devices have found wide popularity in a variety of retail settings. 
   In order to most comfortably accommodate users of such devices, monitor stands have been developed for operably mounting such devices to countertops or the like. As such, certain mounting assemblies incorporate pivoting and rotating mechanisms therein so that the electronic visual display portions of such monitors may be conveniently visible to users of various size. 
   Mounting assemblies developed to date, however, either incorporate permanently fixed orientations or have relatively expensive mechanisms for providing movable parts to the overall assembly. Moreover, assemblies incorporating movable parts fail to provide adjustment mechanisms so that the user may adjust the degree of resistance to movement of such movable parts that is desired. In addition, current mounting assemblies fail to incorporate locking mechanisms for releasably locking respective movable portions thereof in desired orientations. 
   Although the above-stated problems occur most frequently in assemblies being utilized in combination with credit card reading systems, a variety of other display stand applications exists wherein the mechanisms of the present invention provide added effectiveness. 
   It is therefore a principal object of the present invention to provide a monitor mounting apparatus that enables the selective adjustment of resistance to rotational movement between a rotatably secured monitor mounting plate and a fixed base. 
   It is a further object of the present invention to provide a means for selectively adjusting resistance to rotational movement between respective moving parts in a monitor mounting stand that incorporate a central bore through which electrical wires and the like may be operably threaded. 
   It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a monitor mounting apparatus that incorporates a monitor mounting plate that is selectively pivoted with respect to a fixed base, and which further includes a locking mechanism for operably and selectively locking the monitor mounting plate in one or more predetermined pivot positions. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   By means of the present invention, a monitor mounting apparatus is provided having a mechanism for selectively adjusting the level of resistance to relative rotational movement between respective components of the apparatus. Specifically, the present invention provides a mechanism for selectively adjusting the frictional resistance to rotational movement of a monitor mounting plate with respect to a fixed base portion of the mounting apparatus. Moreover, the apparatus of the invention provides a locking mechanism for operably locking the pivoting motion of a monitor mounting plate with respect to the base portion at one or more predetermined relative orientations. 
   In a particular embodiment, the monitor mounting apparatus of the invention includes a base assembly having a first fixed portion defining a first plane and a first axis oriented substantially perpendicular to the first plane, and a second rotatable portion that is rotatably coupled to the first fixed portion about the first axis and in a second plane substantially parallel to the first plane. The base assembly further includes a tensioning mechanism for operably and selectively adjusting frictional resistance to the rotatable coupling between the second rotatable portion and the first fixed portion. The monitor mounting apparatus preferably further includes a monitor mounting plate operably coupled to the second rotatable portion of the base assembly. 
   The first fixed portion of the base assembly preferably includes a first aperture disposed therein and in axial alignment with the first axis, as well as an annular flange radially arranged about the first axis and extending substantially perpendicularly from an outer periphery of the first aperture. In order for the second rotatable portion to be operably disposed about the annular flange, a second aperture is provided in the second rotatable portion in operable axial alignment with the first axis. 
   In particular embodiments, the tensioning mechanism operably bears against the second rotatable portion so as to induce frictional resistance to rotational movement between the second rotatable portion and the first fixed portion. To do so, the tensioning mechanism comprises a ring that extends at least partially about the annular flange, with the ring having a radial protrusion that extends radially inwardly from the ring and is operably disposed in an open slot in the annular flange. The open slot in the annular flange is preferably oriented in an angular relationship with the first plane, wherein the angular relationship is between about 2° and about 75°. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a monitor mounting apparatus of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view of the monitor mounting apparatus illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is an isolation perspective view of a portion of the monitor mounting apparatus illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
       FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of the portion of the monitor mounting apparatus illustrated in  FIG. 3 ; 
       FIG. 5  is a top isometric view of the portion of the monitor mounting apparatus illustrated in  FIG. 3 ; 
       FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view taken along cut line A-A in  FIG. 5 ; and 
       FIG. 7  is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the monitor mounting apparatus illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   The objects and advantages enumerated above together with other objects, features, and advances represented by the present invention will now be presented in terms of detailed embodiments described with reference to the attached drawing figures which are intended to be representative of various possible configurations of the invention. Other embodiments and aspects of the invention are recognized as being within the grasp of those having ordinary skill in the art. 
   With reference now to the drawing figures, and first to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a monitor mounting apparatus  10  of the present invention is shown, which mounting apparatus  10  preferably includes a base assembly  12  and a monitor mounting plate  14  operably coupled to base assembly  12 . 
     FIG. 1  of the drawings represents a front perspective view of apparatus  10 , wherein front surface  16  of mounting plate  14  is preferably operably disposed in facing relationship with a monitor (not shown) that is secured to mounting plate  14 . In a particular embodiment, base assembly  12  may be secured to a substantially horizontal surface, such as a countertop, via fasteners extending through apertures  17 . Mounting plate  14  preferably pivots independently with respect to base assembly  12  about axis  20 , which is defined by one or more bolts  22  extending through respective flanges  24 ,  26  in mounting plate  14  and connector element  28 . Further details regarding the pivoting securement of mounting plate  14  to base assembly  12  via connector element  28  are described in greater detail hereinbelow. 
   Mounting plate  14  is further preferably rotatably secured to base assembly  12  via rotating ring  32  that is rotatably coupled to base element  34 . In such a manner, mounting plate  14  preferably operably rotates about an axis  36  with respect to base element  34 . 
   An isolation view of base assembly  12  is illustrated in  FIG. 3 , with rotating ring  32  being shown more clearly as being rotatably mounted with respect to base element  34 . With further reference to the exploded view of base assembly  12  in  FIG. 4 , base element  34  preferably includes apertures  17  for operably receiving fasteners therethrough so as to fixedly secure base element  34  to a support surface such as a countertop or the like. Base element  34  preferably further includes a first aperture  42  disposed therein and in axial alignment with axis  36 . In preferred embodiments, first aperture  42  is substantially centrally located in base element  34  and extends therethrough from an upper surface  35  to a lower surface  33  thereof. 
   As best illustrated in  FIG. 4 , base element  34  further includes an annular flange  44  that is radially arranged about axis  36  and extends substantially perpendicularly from upper surface  35  at outer periphery  43  of first aperture  42 . Preferably, annular flange  44  is integrally formed with base element  34  and extends upwardly by a distance of between about 0.25 inches and about 2.5 inches, though other size dimensions for annular flange  44  are contemplated by the present invention. 
   Rotating ring  32  preferably includes a second aperture  52  disposed therein and configured to be operably disposed and mounted about exterior side wall surface  46  of annular flange  44 . In some embodiments of the present invention, a relatively low friction bushing  54  is provided for operable insertion within second aperture  52  in rotating ring  32 , and substantially in a plane defined by rotating ring  32 . An outer diameter dimension of bushing  54  is preferably substantially equal to, but slightly smaller than, diameter “D” of second aperture  52 , so that bushing  54  snuggly and frictionally fits in second aperture  52 . Correspondingly, inner diameter dimension D 1  of bushing  54  is substantially equal to, but slightly larger than, an outer diameter dimension “D 2 ” of annular flange  44 , such that the combination of bushing  54  within second aperture  52  of rotating ring  32  fits snuggly about annular flange  44 . 
   Bushing  54  is preferably fabricated from a relatively low-friction material in order to allow rotating ring  32  to rotate about annular flange  44  with little frictional resistance. A particularly preferred material for bushing  54  is ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), though other materials such as Teflon®, and other polymeric materials may be used in place of UHMWPE for bushing  54 . 
   In preferred embodiments of the present invention, both base element  34  and rotating ring  32  are fabricated from relatively strong and durable materials, such as nickel steel, anodized steel, galvanized steel, aluminum, and the like. Since such materials typically have physical surface characteristics that generate frictional resistance to relative movement when two pieces of such material are placed in intimate contact with one another, the base assembly  12  of the present invention preferably utilizes one or more low-friction washers  56 ,  58 . Such relatively low-friction washers  56 ,  58  are preferably fabricated from material akin to those utilized in the fabrication of bushing  54 , such as UHMWPE and the like. First washer  56  is preferably operably disposed immediately adjacent upper surface  35  of base element  34  and between base element  34  and rotating ring  32 . In such a manner, respective surfaces of rotating ring  32  and base element  34  do not come into contact with one another, but instead are in intimate contact with respective surfaces of washer  56 , thereby substantially reducing the degree of frictional resistance to rotational movement of rotating ring  32  with respect to base element  34 . 
   In some embodiments of the present invention, rotating ring  32  further includes a protrusion  48  extending downwardly from a lower surface  31  of rotating ring  32 . Protrusion  48  is preferably located at rotating ring  32  and configured to be operably disposed in annular slot  62  of base element  34 . Such a relationship provides a limited degree of rotational movement of rotating ring  32  with respect to base element  34 , in that protrusion  48  freely travels only through the length of annular slot  62 . In other words, when protrusion  48  comes into contact with first and second ends  64 ,  66  of annular slot  62  during the operable rotation of rotating ring  32  with respect to base element  34 , further rotation in that direction is prohibited. Thus, in the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 4 , annular slot  62  allows about 180 degrees of rotation of rotating ring  32  about axis  36  by providing annular slot  62  along only 180 degrees of travel about axis  36 . 
   Rotating ring  32  preferably further includes mounting portion  39  and one or more apertures  40  for receiving fasteners  72  therethrough as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . As such, connector element  28  preferably secures to mounting portion  39  of rotating ring  32  via fasteners  72  extending through respective apertures  40 . In the manner above described, therefore, mounting plate  14  operably mounts to rotating ring  32 , thereby providing a rotational characteristic to mounting plate  14  about axis  36  with respect to base element  34 . 
   As further illustrated in  FIG. 4 , a tensioning ring  76  is provided for operable disposition about annular flange  44  of base element  34 . Tensioning ring  76  is preferably axially displaced from rotating ring  32  via second washer  58 , such that rotating ring  32  may rotate with respect to tensioning ring  76 . In certain embodiments of the invention, tensioning ring  76  is made up of first and second mateable pieces  78 ,  80  which may be operably connected to one another as illustrated in  FIG. 4  via fasteners  82 . Preferably, such fasteners  82  removably secure first and second pieces  78 ,  80  to one another, and offer progressive tightening features such as threads in threaded recesses or the like. When operably coupled to one another, first and second pieces  78 ,  80  of tensioning ring  76  form an internal diameter that is substantially equal to, but slightly smaller than outer diameter D 2  of annular flange  44 . As such, tensioning ring  76  may be tightly secured about exterior surface  46  of annular flange  44  via fasteners  82 . 
   As a primary feature of the present invention, tensioning ring  76  includes a radial protrusion  84  that extends radially inwardly from tensioning ring  76 . As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , radial protrusion  84  extends from inner surface  81  of second piece  80 . Radial protrusion  84  is preferably configured to operably extend into one or more tensioning slots  92  in annular flange  44  when tensioning ring  76  is operably disposed thereabout. In some embodiments of the invention, both first and second pieces  78 ,  80  include a radial protrusion  84  inwardly disposed therefrom so as to extend into respective tensioning slots  92  in annular flange  44 . 
   As best illustrated in the cross-sectional view of  FIG. 6 , tensioning slot  92  in annular flange  44  is preferably oriented in angular relationship with a first plane  102  defined by base element  34 . Radial protrusion  84  is shown being operably disposed in tensioning slot  92 . In operation, tensioning ring  76  is mounted about annular flange  44  with radial protrusion  84  extending into tensioning slot  92  such that ring  76  operably axially bears against second washer  58 . As a consequence of such pressure placed against second washer  58  by tensioning ring  76 , surface pressures are developed between respective surfaces of second washer  58 , rotating ring  32 , first washer  56 , and base element  34 . The angular relationship of tensioning slot  92  with respect to first plane  102  enables radial protrusion  84 , and consequently tensioning ring  76 , to be adjustably axially positioned with respect to base element  34 . 
   As tensioning ring  76  is mounted about annular flange  44  in axial positions closer to base element  34 , respective surface pressures between the components of base assembly  12  are correspondingly increased. Since frictional resistance to movement is proportional to the surface pressure between adjacent objects, the selective increase of such surface pressures by the adjustable axial displacement of tensioning ring  76  correspondingly adjusts the amount of frictional resistance to the rotational movement of rotating ring  32  with respect to base element  34 . As such, the adjustable axial displacement of tensioning ring  76  enables a user to selectively adjust the level of resistance desired in rotating rotatable ring  32  and correspondingly mounting plate  14  about annular flange  44  of base element  34 . 
   By way of example, tensioning ring  76  may be operably mounted about annular flange  44  via fasteners  82  at a distally disposed axial position with respect to base element  34 . As such distal axial position, radial protrusion  84  is operably disposed at an upper end  93  of tensioning slot  92 . In this position, the least amount of frictional resistance to rotational movement of rotating ring  32  that is available in the assembly is being utilized. In order to increase the level of frictional resistance to rotational movement of rotating ring  32  about annular flange  44 , fasteners  82  are loosened such that tensioning ring  76  may be rotated about annular flange  44  and axis  36 . Such rotation causes radial protrusion  84  to move from first end  93  toward second end  94  of tensioning slot  92 . In doing so, radial protrusion  84  within tensioning slot  92  causes tensioning ring  76  to axially displace toward base element  34 , thereby increasing frictional resistance in the system. When a desired degree of frictional resistance is obtained, fasteners  82  are re-tightened to tightly secure tensioning ring  76  about annular flange  44 , thereby removably affixing a relative axial position of tensioning ring  76  with respect to base element  34 . 
   Although tensioning ring  76  is illustrated in  FIG. 4  as comprising two distinct pieces  78 ,  80 , it is contemplated by the present invention that tensioning ring  76  may be fabricated from a single piece that includes a single location for operably clamping together a single open end thereof. 
   Preferably, the angular relationship between tensioning slot  92  and first plane  102 , as defined by “α” is between about 2° and about 75°. The amount of axial displacement between first end  93  and second end  94  of tensioning slot  92  is preferably between about 0.010 and about 0.250 inches. More preferably, the axial displacement between first and second ends  93 ,  94  of tensioning slot  92  is between about 0.030 and about 0.090 inches. 
   In a further aspect of the present invention, mounting plate  14  is preferably pivotally coupled to base assembly  12  via connector element  28  that is operably secured to rotating ring  32  by fasteners  72  extending through respective apertures and connector element  28  and apertures  40  in rotating ring  32 . Through such an engagement, connector element  28  may be fixedly and/or removably secured to rotating ring  32  of base assembly  12 . 
   As further illustrated in the exploded view of  FIG. 7 , mounting plate  14  is preferably pivotally secured to connector element  28  via fasteners  22  extending through respective flanges  24 ,  26  of mounting plate  14  and connector element  28 , respectively. In order to facilitate relative pivoting motion between mounting plate  14  and connector element  28 , relatively low-friction washers  112 ,  114  are disposed between respective facing surfaces of flanges  24 ,  26 , and between flanges  24  and fasteners  22 . Such washers are preferably fabricated from a material such as UHMWPE, or the like. Through such an operable engagement, monitor mounting plate  14  preferably operably pivots about axis  20  that is defined by fasteners  22  extending through respective apertures in mounting portions  24 ,  26 . 
   A further aspect of the present invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 7  wherein a locking clip  122  is shown as being operably coupled to mounting plate  14  via fasteners  124  extending through respective apertures in mounting plate  14  and locking clip  122 . Locking clip  122  preferably includes a brace portion  126  and a spring portion  128 , with the brace portion  126  being operably secured in abutting relationship to mounting plate  14 . Spring portion  128  is preferably fabricated from a material having a gauge thickness that is sufficiently thin so as to provide a resilient characteristic thereto. In this manner, spring portion  128  may be operably deflected from a pre-defined orientation. 
   In operation, mounting plate  14  operably pivots with locking clip  122  being secured thereto. As mounting plate  14  is pivoted into a substantially vertical orientation, such as that illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , spring portion  128  is operably brought into communication with locking aperture  132  of connector element  28 . The latent restorative force of spring portion  128  causes at least a portion thereof to extend into locking aperture  132 , thereby arresting further pivoting motion of connector element  14  with respect to base assembly  12 . In this manner, a “locking” characteristic is provided to mounting plate  14  at a predetermined relative pivoting orientation with respect to base assembly  12 . Such a predetermined locked orientation is defined by the location of locking aperture  132  in connector element  28 . 
   Spring portion  128  preferably includes a curved distal end  129  that provides a leveraging force against spring portion  128  when mounting plate  14  is pivoted rearwardly so as to operably engage distal end  129  with rear side  133  of locking aperture  132 . This leveraging mechanism enables a user to operably deflect spring portion  128  of locking clip  122  out from locking aperture  132  with a reasonable amount of force applied to mounting plate  14 . The disengagement of spring portion  128  from locking aperture  132  enables the user to freely pivot mounting plate  14  rearwardly about axis  20 . Locking clip  122 , therefore, enables a user to freely pivot mounting plate  14  between a first portion wherein rear surface  15  of mounting plate  14  engages with stop surfaces  138  of connector element  28 , and a substantially vertical position wherein spring portion  128  of locking clip  122  engages with locking aperture  132 . At both extreme positions of the pivoting motion of mounting plate  14 , a positive stop is provided to further pivoting motion so as to create a relatively solid surface against which a display monitor or the like may be mounted. 
   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 the invention can be carried out by specifically different devices and that various modifications can be accomplished without departing from the scope of the invention itself.