Height adjustable support

A support comprises a device mount adapted to be connected to a user device such as a monitor. The device mount is supported on a first pivot for rotational motion about a first axis of rotation. A slide assembly comprises a carriage where the carriage is mounted for translational movement and supports the first pivot such that the first axis of rotation may be moved transversely. The support may be mounted on a technology cart comprising an upright supported on wheels where the upright supports a movable work platform. The support may be located in front of and closely adjacent to the upright where the movement of the pivot allows the user device to be rotated without interference from the upright.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Supports for devices such as monitors, televisions, other information technology (IT) equipment or other similar devices are known and may comprise articulating arms. Technology carts that may typically comprise a rolling cart that includes IT technology such as a computer, CPU, monitor, keyboard, or other equipment or devices are also known. Technology carts are often found in healthcare environments such as hospitals where they may be moved between patient areas for use by a healthcare professional. Supports may be used to support a monitor on a technology cart and in environments and configurations other than technology carts such as wall mounted supports, cabinet mounted supports, table top supports or the like.

SUMMARY

In some embodiments, a support comprises a device mount adapted to be connected to a user device. The device mount is supported on a first pivot for rotational motion about a first axis of rotation. A slide assembly comprises a carriage where the carriage is mounted for translational movement and supports the first pivot such that the first axis of rotation may be translated transversely.

In some embodiments, the first axis of rotation is substantially vertical. The slide assembly may be mounted on a lift mechanism such that the height of the device mount may be adjusted. The slide assembly may be mounted on a column that is adapted to be mounted to a surface such that the column is disposed substantially vertically. The column may comprise the lift mechanism for supporting the slide assembly for substantial vertical movement. The slide assembly may comprise a rail that supports the carriage such that the carriage may be manually moved transversely relative to the support. The slide assembly may support the carriage for substantially horizontal movement. The slide assembly may comprise a first rail and a second rail that extend substantially parallel to one another and substantially horizontally and the carriage may span the first rail and the second rail and include an engagement structure that freely slides on the rails. A center position locater may be provided for locating a center position of the carriage. A support plate may support the slide assembly where the center position locater comprises a ball on one of the carriage and support plate that releasably engages a detent on the other one of the carriage and the support plate.

In some embodiments, a technology cart comprises an upright supported on wheels. The upright has a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge and supports a movable work platform. A device mount is adapted to be connected to a monitor where the device mount is mounted to the movable work surface such that the device mount is located adjacent the upright. The device mount is supported on a first pivot for rotational motion about a first axis of rotation. A slide assembly supports a carriage where the carriage is mounted for translational movement and supports the first pivot such that the first axis of rotation may be translated transversely relative to the upright such that the first axis of rotation may be located adjacent to the first lateral edge and the second lateral edge.

In some embodiments, the first axis of rotation is substantially vertical. The slide assembly may be mounted on a lift mechanism such that the height of the device mount may be adjusted relative to the work platform. The slide assembly may be mounted on a column that is adapted to be mounted to the work platform such that the column is disposed substantially vertically. The slide assembly may support the carriage for substantially horizontal movement. The slide assembly may comprise at least one rail and the carriage may comprise an engagement structure that freely slides on the at least one rail such that the carriage may be manually moved transversely relative to the support. A center position locater may be provided that locates a center position of the carriage. The center position locater may comprise a ball and detent. The device mount may rotate about a second axis where the second axis may be orthogonal to the first axis. The device mount may be adapted to support a monitor. The technology cart may further comprise a computer. The slide assembly may be mounted on a lift mechanism such that the height of the device mount may be vertically adjusted relative to the work platform where the slide assembly supports the carriage for substantially horizontal movement with the first axis of rotation oriented substantially vertically. The first axis of rotation may be substantially vertical and the slide assembly may be mounted on a lift mechanism such that the height of the device mount may be vertically adjusted relative to the work platform, the slide assembly may support the carriage for substantially horizontal movement and the device mount may rotate about a second axis where the second axis may be orthogonal to the first axis.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Like references numbers are used to refer to like elements throughout.

Relative terms such as “below” or “above” or “upper” or “lower” or “horizontal” or “vertical” or “top” or “bottom” or “front” or “rear” may be used herein to describe a relationship of one element, area or region to another element, area or region as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that these terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures.

One embodiment of a technology cart is shown inFIGS. 1 through 3. The cart comprises a work platform1. The work platform1is supported on an upright20that is supported on a base16. The platform1may support a keyboard tray14where the keyboard tray14may be movably mounted such that the tray14may be moved between a retracted position where it is located inside of or below the work platform1and an extended position where a keyboard supported on the keyboard tray14may be accessed by a user. Base16is supported on rollers or wheels18such that a user may push the cart over the floor. The cart may also support a computer and/or a wireless communication node such that the on-board equipment may communicate with a wider network. In one embodiment the computer may be supported inside of the work platform1. A battery for powering the on-board technology may be supported in a battery compartment12on the base16. While a general purpose cart suitable for supporting a computer and a monitor is shown, the on-board technology may comprise any piece of equipment including specialized, application specific equipment. For example, in a medical application the equipment may comprise, but is not limited to, a display for a heart monitor, blood pressure monitor or other medical device. Applications other than medical applications are also possible.

The upright20extends substantially vertically from base16and supports the work platform1such that the height of the work platform1may be adjusted to comfortably accommodate a variety of users. The work platform1may be moved up and down at least a portion of the length of the upright20such that at certain positions of the work platform1a portion20aof the upright20may extend vertically above the work platform. A lift mechanism may be provided in the upright20to assist the user in moving the work platform1and setting the height of the work platform1. The lift mechanism may comprise a hydraulic, pneumatic or spring cylinder, a counterweighted pulley system or other counterbalance mechanism that counterbalances the combined weight of the work platform1and the equipment supported by the work platform1. The lift mechanism may be designed to also support external loads such as may be applied by a user. The lift mechanism may also comprise a motorized lift system. The cart may be made of a combination of materials including aluminum extrusions, sheet metal, cast metal and molded plastic.

A monitor, display, other user interface device, or other equipment or devices (hereinafter referred to collectively as “user device”)2may be supported on the platform1such that raising or lowering of the platform1also raises and lowers the user device2. As will be appreciated, space may be limited in such an application where it is desired to maintain the work surface4and/or work platform1unobstructed such that a user may utilize the work surface4while having access to the user device2. Most supports use an articulating arm that is relatively large and that supports the user device2in a manner that obstructs and limits access to the areas below and adjacent to the user device and support. Further, in some embodiments the portion of the upright20athat extends above the platform1may interfere with the ability of the monitor mounting device and/or user device2to articulate. A support50is provided that has a small footprint, and supports the user device2in a manner that minimizes the space occupied by the user device and allows the user device to articulate without interference with the upright20.

Referring toFIGS. 4 through 8, in one embodiment, the support50comprises a column52that may be mounted to a surface such that the column52is disposed substantially vertically. The column52may be mounted to any suitable surface and in one embodiment the column52is mounted to the work platform1of a technology cart. The column52defines an interior space54that receives and retains a lift mechanism56for supporting a mounting bracket58for vertical movement relative to the support. The lift mechanism56may comprise any suitable device that allows the user device2to be raised and lowered relative to the column52. The lift mechanism56may comprise a counterweight mechanism, a counterbalance mechanism such as a hydraulic, pneumatic or spring cylinder, a spring/pulley/lever device, a motorized system or other suitable lift mechanism.

The mounting bracket58is connected to and supports a mounting plate60. In one embodiment, the mounting bracket58comprises a first arm62and a second arm64that are operatively connected to and supported on the lift mechanism56. The first arm62and the second arm64support a face plate66. Face plate66is connected to the mounting plate60such as by fastener68such that the mounting bracket58and the mounting plate60move vertically as a unit. In one embodiment, the fastener68extends through an aperture69in the mounting plate60and engages a threaded hole70in the face plate66. In one embodiment the mounting bracket and the mounting plate may be formed as one-piece rather than as separate components.

The column52and lift mechanism56may be covered by a housing72that isolates the lift mechanism56from the exterior of the mount and provides a decorative appearance to the mount. The housing72may comprise a first housing section75and a second housing section76that may be connected to one another and/or to the column52such that the housing72is secured to and surrounds the column52and lift mechanism56. The housing sections75and76and the column52may be connected to one another by any suitable connectors including a snap-fit connector, fasteners such as screws, friction fit or other suitable connector. The mounting bracket58extends through an aperture74in the housing72such that the mounting bracket58may move linearly relative to the column52and the housing72. A cover78may be secured over the aperture74to close the aperture where the cover78has a width slightly smaller than the width of the aperture74such that two slots80are created in the housing72. Slots80receive the arms62and64of the mounting bracket58with the face plate66and mounting plate60disposed outside of the housing72.

A slide assembly82is supported on mounting plate60to provide lateral movement of user device2. The slide assembly82comprises a carriage84that is slidably mounted on the mounting plate60by a slide mechanism such that the carriage84may move substantially horizontally relative to the mounting plate60. In one embodiment the slide mechanism comprises rails that support carriage84such that the carriage84may be manually moved transversely on the rails relative to the support50. In one embodiment, the slide mechanism comprises a first rail86and a second rail88that are supported by the mounting plate60and that extend substantially parallel to one another. In one embodiment, the rails86and88extend substantially horizontally when the support50is mounted in a vertical orientation. The rails86and88extend transversely to the vertical

The carriage84supports a post100that is disposed substantially vertically when the carriage84is mounted on the rails86and88. A collar102is rotatably mounted on the post100such that the collar102may rotate about axis A-A of the post100where axis A-A is orthogonal to sliding direction A. Suitable low friction bushings104may be used to allow free rotation of the collar102on the post100. The post100may comprise a threaded end106that is engaged by a corresponding threaded nut108to retain the collar102on the post100. Other mechanisms for mounting the collar102for rotation about axis A-A may be used. The cover110includes a slot112through which the post100extends such that when the carriage84is translated on rails86and88the post100freely translates in slot112. A cover114may also be mounted over the collar102to isolate the collar102and to provide a decorative appearance.

A user device mount120is supported by the collar102(such as by fasteners122) such that the carriage84and the device mount120translate together in the direction of arrow A when carriage84is moved on the slide mechanism. In one embodiment, the device mount120comprises a plate that is adapted to be coupled to the user device2; however, the device mount120may have a wide variety of configurations, shapes and sizes. The user device2may be mechanically coupled to the device mount120using any suitable connector including screws, bolts, or the like or by a coupler such as a snap fit connection, tongue and groove connection or other suitable connector. The user device mount120may include a yoke121that is connected to the collar102. The device mount120may be connected to the yoke at a pivot123such that the device mount120may rotate along a second rotational axis B-B that is orthogonal to the first rotational axis A-A and may be disposed substantially horizontally.

A center position locater is provided to assist the user in locating the carriage84in a center position on mounting plate60. The center position locater may comprise a ball and detent arrangement as shown in the drawings. The center position locater in the illustrated embodiment comprises a ball130mounted in a sleeve132that is retained in a bore134on the carriage84. A spring136biases the ball to an extended position. An adjustment screw140may be provided that may be threaded into or out of the bore134to increase or decrease the bias force on the ball130. The mounting plate60comprises a detent138that is positioned such that the ball130is disposed opposite to the detent138when the carriage84is in a center position relative to the mounting plate60. The spring136biases the ball130into engagement with the detent138to temporarily lock the carriage in the center position. The engagement of the ball130with detent138also provides audible and tactile feedback to the user that the device is centered. Detents may also be provided on the mounting plate60to lock the carriage in the extreme left and right positions if desired. The engagement of the ball130with the detent138may be overcome by the user by pushing on the monitor2. While in the illustrated embodiment the ball is supported on the carriage and the detent is formed on the support plate, the location of the components may be reversed such that the detent is formed on the carriage and the ball is located on the support plate.

An embodiment of the operation of the mount will now be described. The column52is mounted to a surface such as a technology cart1such that the column extends substantially vertically from the surface. The column may be mounted directly in front of and closely adjacent to, or abutting, the upright20such that the support occupies a minimum amount of space over work platform1. In one embodiment the column52extends below the housing72such that the exposed portion of the column52may be inserted into a receptacle124formed on the cart or other surface. A suitable connection mechanism such as fasteners may engage holes formed on the column52to secure the support to the surface. Other mechanisms for mounting the column to a surface may also be used. For example, the column52may have a pedestal based that sits on top of a surface. The connection mechanism for securing the column52to the surface may comprise welding, a snap fit connection, friction fit or the like. A user device2is mechanically coupled to device mount120using any suitable connection mechanism. In one embodiment, the user device2comprises a monitor such as a computer monitor. The user device2may be raised and lowered relative to the platform1by adjusting the height of the lift mechanism56. Movement of the work platform1provides gross adjustment of the height of user device2and lift mechanism56provides fine adjustment of the height of the user device2and allows the height of the user device to be adjusted relative to the platform1.

Referring toFIGS. 9 through 11, to adjust the angular position of the user device2, the device mount120may be rotated by rotating collar102on pin100about axis A-A such that the angle of the device mount120and the user device2may be easily changed by the user. WhileFIGS. 10 and 11show the user device rotated to the right (counterclockwise as viewed in the drawings) it is to be understood that the user device may also be rotated in the opposite direction (clockwise as viewed in the drawings) such that the user device may be rotated in both directions. In an application such as a technology cart as shown inFIG. 1, the upright20that provides height adjustment of the work platform1may be positioned directly behind the user device2such that the upright20may impinge upon movement of the user device2and may limit the angle the device mount120may be rotated about the vertical axis A-A as shown inFIG. 10. As a result, even though the collar102is free to rotate about pin100at least 90° in each direction from the centered position ofFIG. 9, contact between the user device2and the upright20may prevent the full range of motion desired by the user. To provide the full range of motion, the support of the invention allows the axis of rotation A-A to be moved or translated horizontally to position the axis of rotation to either side of the upright20where the upright does not interfere with the rotation of the user device2. Specifically, the user may push the user device2to the left or right on slide assembly82such that the pivot axis A-A is likewise translated. The pivot axis A-A may be positioned such that the back of user device2, when rotated, is at or beyond the right lateral edge20aand left lateral edge20bof the upright20. In either of these positions, the user device2may be rotated through at least 90 degrees without interference from the upright20or any other similarly located obstruction. By positioning the axis A-A such that the back of user device2, when rotated, is at or beyond at the edges20aand20bof the upright20the user device2may freely rotate 90 degrees in either direction as shown inFIG. 11. By positioning the axis A-A such that the back of user device2, when rotated, is inside of, or between, the lateral edges20aand20bof the upright20the angle of rotation may be increased over that provided when the axis A-A is in the center position, although it may not reach a full 90 degrees. By moving the axis of rotation such that the back of user device2, when rotated, is substantially beyond, or outside, the lateral edges20aand20bof the upright20, the user device2may be free to rotate through an angle of greater than 90 degrees. Providing a transversely reciprocating pivot and axis of rotation allows the support to have a very compact size yet provides 180 degrees of rotation even where the pivot is disposed closely adjacent to an obstruction such as upright20.

Specific embodiments of an invention are disclosed herein. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the invention has other applications in other environments. Many embodiments are possible. The following claims are in no way intended to limit the scope of the invention to the specific embodiments described above.