Monitor mounting apparatus

The instant disclosure relates to a monitor mounting apparatus for using on a working surface. The mounting apparatus includes a base, an adjusting unit, and a tilt bracket. The base is disposed on the working surface and has a first anchoring portion. The adjusting unit includes at least one position-adjusting member and at least one angle-adjusting member pivotally interconnected. The position-adjusting member may be movably arranged on the first anchoring portion of the base. The tilt bracket includes a support plate and a turntable. An outer end portion is defined on the support plate, and the angle-adjusting member is fixed to the support plate away from the outer end portion. The turntable may rotate axially relative to the support plate. The tilt bracket may be tilted between a first operating position and a second operating position as required by a user.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The instant disclosure relates to a mounting apparatus; more particularly, to a mounting apparatus capable of receiving a monitor and adjusting its position.

2. Description of Related Art

Please refer toFIG. 11. A conventional monitor mounting apparatus, the “sliding flip-over type pivot joint and electronic device with the same” of a Taiwan patent of M367562, discloses a pivot joint that comprises a base10, a sliding block20, a first elastic member30, a pivot plate40, a rotating plate50, and a second elastic member60.

The first elastic member30is disposed between the base10and the sliding block20for positioning the sliding block20at either end of the base10. The rotating plate50is rotatably arranged on the pivot plate40. The second elastic member60is disposed between the pivot plate40and the rotating plate50for allowing the rotating plate50to rotate with respect to the pivot plate40at two defined locations.

Although the abovementioned pivot joint allows the monitor to slide or rotate, the rotation is restricted to two positions only. Therefore, the existing design falls short in providing unrestricted adjustment for the monitor, thus the user's expectation is not met.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The instant disclosure provides a monitor mounting apparatus. The mounted monitor (e.g., touch screen monitor) may be pivoted and/or rotated to suitable positions for easy access by the user.

An embodiment of the instant disclosure provides a monitor mounting apparatus for use on a working surface that comprises: a base for disposing on the working surface having at least one first anchoring portion; an adjusting unit that includes at least one position-adjusting member and at least one angle-adjusting member, where the position-adjusting member may be movably disposed on the first anchoring portion of the base; and a tilt bracket having a support plate and a turntable, where the support plate has an outer end portion. The angle-adjusting member of the adjusting unit is in connection to a side portion of the support plate away from the outer end portion thereof. The turntable may rotate axially relative to the support plate. The tilt bracket may be movably oriented in between a first operating position and a second operating position. When the tilt bracket is oriented at the first operating position, the distance between the outer end portion and the working surface is less than the distance there between when the tilt bracket is oriented at the second operating position.

A guide slot is preferably formed on the outer end portion of the support plate, allowing the turntable to be movably disposed on the outer end portion.

Preferably, the mounting apparatus further comprises a synchronizing mechanism. The synchronizing mechanism includes a shaft, a toothed rack, and a gear. The shaft penetrates through the turntable, the guide slot of the support plate, and the gear. The shaft is connected between the turntable and the gear, and the toothed rack is fixed on the support plate and intermeshed to the gear.

Preferably, an elongated opening is formed on the first anchoring portion, and the position-adjusting member includes at least one slide pin. The slide pin may be slid ably penetrated through the opening.

The base preferably has a base plate and at least one fixing plate mounted thereon. The first anchoring portion is defined on one end of the fixing plate. Whereas a second anchoring portion is defined on an opposite end of the fixing plate. The angle-adjusting member may be pivotally connected to the first anchoring portion.

The mounting apparatus preferably further includes at least one tilt frame. The tilt frame has a first end portion and second end portion formed oppositely thereon. The first end portion may be pivotally connected to the second anchoring portion of the base, and the second end portion may be pivotally connected to the angle-adjusting member.

A stop is preferably extended from one end portion of the base away from the first anchoring portion. The position-adjusting member of the adjusting unit further has a traverse block. One end of the traverse block is fixed to the position-adjusting member. Whereas an energy-storing device is arranged between the opposite end of the traverse block and the stop. The energy-storing device includes at least one tension spring set. The tension spring set is fixed to the stop and the traverse block on opposite ends thereof.

In some embodiments, a mounting apparatus having a synchronizing mechanism may be provided. The synchronizing mechanism has a traverser, and an arch-shaped guide slot is formed on the support plate. A via hole is formed on the turntable, where the traverser is penetrated through the via hole and may be movably disposed in the guide slot.

The synchronizing mechanism includes a guide frame, a guide block, and a connecting arm. The guide frame is fixed to the support plate, and the guide block may be movably disposed between the guide frame and the support plate. A via-slot is formed on the guide block. The traverser may be movably penetrated through the via-slot of the guide block. The connecting arm is pivotally connected to the base and the guide block on opposite ends thereof.

The guide slot is preferably arch-shaped having a radius being the distance between the center of the turntable and the hole thereon. The arc formed by the guide slot has a central angle of 90°.

An elongated opening is preferably formed on the first anchoring portion, and the position-adjusting member includes at least one slide pin. The slide pin may be slidably penetrated through the opening.

The base preferably has a base plate and at least one fixing plate mounted thereon. The first anchoring portion is defined on one end of the fixing plate. Whereas a second anchoring portion is defined on an opposite end of the fixing plate. The angle-adjusting member may be pivotally connected to the first anchoring portion.

The mounting apparatus preferably further includes at least one tilt frame. The tilt frame has a first end portion and second end portion formed oppositely thereon. The first end portion may be pivotally connected to the second anchoring portion of the base, and the second end portion may be pivotally connected to the angle-adjusting member.

A stop is preferably extended from one end portion of the base away from the first anchoring portion. The position-adjusting member of the adjusting unit further has a traverse block. One end of the traverse block is fixed to the position-adjusting member. Whereas an energy-storing device is arranged between the opposite end of the traverse block and the stop. The energy-storing device includes at least one tension spring set. The tension spring set is fixed to the stop and the traverse block on opposite ends thereof.

Based on the above, the monitor mounting apparatus of the instant disclosure utilizes the position-adjusting and angle-adjusting members of the adjusting unit to adjust the tilt bracket between the first and second operating positions, thereby achieving the capability of adjusting the orientation of the tilt bracket.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

In order to further appreciate the characteristics and technical contents of the instant disclosure, references are hereunder made to the detailed descriptions and appended drawings in connection with the instant disclosure. However, the appended drawings are merely shown for exemplary purposes, rather than being used to restrict the scope of the instant disclosure.

First Embodiment

Please refer toFIG. 1, which shows a first embodiment of the monitor mounting apparatus in accordance with the instant disclosure. The mounting apparatus comprises a base1, an adjusting unit2, at least one tilt frame3, a tilt bracket4, six pivot pins5, and a synchronizing mechanism8.

Please refer toFIG. 2in conjunction withFIG. 1. The base1has a flat base plate11. Two fixing plates15each having an L-shaped cross-section are arranged on opposite side portions of the base plate11. Each fixing plate15has a first anchoring portion13and a second anchoring portion14defined oppositely thereon. The first anchoring portion13has an elongated opening131formed thereon substantially parallel to the base plate11. A hole141is formed on the second anchoring portion14.

The adjusting unit2includes a pair of position-adjusting members21and an angle-adjusting member22. Each position-adjusting member21is of a block-shaped structure and has a hole211formed thereon. A pair of slide pins212are arranged adjacent to each position-adjusting member21and may be movably projected through the opening131. The angle-adjusting member22has a base frame223and two sidewalls224curvedly extended from opposite end portions thereof Holes2241,2242are formed on opposite end portions of each sidewall224.

The penetration of each position-adjusting member21by the corresponding pivot pin5via the hole211and the penetration of the hole2241of each sidewall224of the angle-adjusting member22using the same allows the angle-adjusting member22to be pivotally connected to the position-adjusting members21.

The tilt frame3has a cross bar33and a pair of legs34connected oppositely thereto. Namely, the tilt frame3is of a substantially H-shaped frame structure. Each leg34has a first end portion31and a second end portion32formed oppositely thereon. A hole311and a hole321are formed on the first end portion31and the second end portion32, respectively.

Two pivot pins5are used to penetrate the respective holes141of the second anchoring portions14of the base1and the respective holes311of the first end portions31of the tilt frame3, thus enabling the tilt frame3to be pivotally connected to the second anchoring portions14of the base1. Moreover, two more pivot pins5are used to penetrate the respective holes321of the second end portions32of the tilt frame3and the respective holes2242of the sidewalls224of the angle-adjusting member22, thus enabling the tilt frame3to be pivotally connected to the angle-adjusting member22.

The pivot pins5may generally be any rivet, screw, bolt, split pin, spring pin, snap pin, combination of screw and nut or nail and buckle, or other types of suitable fasteners.

Next, please refer toFIG. 3in conjunction withFIG. 1. The tilt bracket4has a flat support plate41, a turntable43, and a display holder44. One end of the support plate41is fixed to the base frame223of the angle-adjusting member22, while the opposite end thereof (i.e., the end of the support plate41away from the angle-adjusting member22, referred herein as an outer end portion411) is formed with a linear guide slot412thereon. A hole431is centrally formed on the turntable43, and the turntable43may be movably disposed on the outer end portion411of the support plate41. The turntable43and the display holder44in particular may rotate axially relative to the support plate41. A circular hole (not shown) is centrally formed on the display holder44, where the display holder44is fixed to the turntable43.

The synchronizing mechanism8includes a shaft81, a toothed rack82, a gear83, a plurality of washers84, and a nut85. A screw, for example, is used as the shaft81for the instant embodiment. The shaft81in particular has a non-cylindrical body with opposing flat surfaces formed thereon. The toothed rack82is arranged on the surface of the outer end portion411of the support plate41facing away from the turntable43. A hole831is centrally formed on the gear83, where the shape of the hole831matches the shape of the shaft81. The gear83may be intermeshed to the toothed rack82.

Furthermore, the shape of the hole431of the turntable43matches the shape of the shaft81, and the shaft81is movably and rotatably penetrated through the guide slot412. For the fastening sequence, the shaft81penetrates the circular hole of the display holder44, the hole431of the turntable43, the guide slot412, the hole831of the gear83, and the nut85. For reducing wear due to friction, at least one washer84may be arranged between any two of the abovementioned components during the penetration by the shaft81.

The display holder44, the turntable43, the shaft81, and the gear83work cooperatively in providing synchronized operation. For example, when the user rotates the display holder44, the turntable43along with the shaft81and the gear83will be actuated synchronously.

Moreover, as the display holder44is rotated, the display holder44will also be displaced along an imaginary plane defined by itself. Correspondingly, when the display holder44is displaced along the imaginary plane described above, a rotational movement will be induced on the display holder44. Therefore, if acted by the user, the display holder44will travel linearly and rotates axially at the same time.

In addition, the pressing force from the nut85and the frictional force generated between the toothed rack82and the gear83allow the display holder44(or the combination of the display holder44and the supported article) to stop displacing and rotating at any position within a range of adjustment.

Through the adjusting unit2, the tilt bracket4of the mounting apparatus of the instant disclosure may be adjusted between a first operating position (as indicated inFIG. 4by the horizontal orientation of the tilt bracket4) and a second operating position (i.e., the maximum allowable inclined position as shown inFIG. 5), inclusively. The maximum allowable inclined position is defined by the maximum allowable angle between the support plate41of the tilt bracket4and the base plate11of the base1.

When the tilt bracket4is oriented at the horizontal position, the support plate41of the tilt bracket4and the base plate11of the base1are substantially parallel to each other. In other words, the angle therebetween is about 0°. Concurrently, the connecting sections between the position-adjusting members21and the angle-adjusting member22are oriented at a first position. In other words, the slide pins212for the position-adjusting members21are forced away from the second anchoring portions14within the openings131.

As shown inFIGS. 1 and 5, when the tilt bracket4arranged at the maximum allowable inclined position, the maximum allowable angle is formed between the support plate41of the tilt bracket4and the base plate11of the base1. This maximum angle is 60° for the instant embodiment, however, it is not restricted thereto.

Furthermore, the angle-adjusting member22is pivotally connected to the position-adjusting members21and the tilt frame3on opposite ends thereof. Such configuration enables the tilt bracket4to distribute its load (tilt bracket4and supported article) in preventing biasing toward the horizontal position. Concurrently, the connection sections between the position-adjusting members21and the angle-adjusting member22are oriented to a second position. In other words, the slide pins212of the position-adjusting members21are forced near the second anchoring portions14within the opening131.

In the instant embodiment, the washers84and the washer assemblies (not labeled) for the slide pins212are provided to create sufficient frictional force in stopping the tilt bracket4anywhere within the adjustment range. As shown inFIG. 6, the user is able to adjust and stop the tilt bracket4anywhere within the adjustment range defined by the first operating position and the maximum allowable inclined position.

In addition, please refer back toFIG. 1. A wall-like member, herein referred as a stop12, is formed extendingly from the end portion of the base plate11away from the first anchoring portions13. The position-adjusting members21of the adjusting unit2are further provided with a traverse block27. The traverse block27is fixed to the position-adjusting members21on opposite ends thereof. Whereas an energy-storing device9is arranged between the traverse block27and the stop12. For the instant embodiment, the energy-storing device9includes four tension spring sets91(i.e., tension spring and its housing) and two torsion springs92.

One end of each tension spring set91is fixed to the stop12, while the other end thereof is fixed to the traverse block27. Each of the torsion springs92is fixed to the tilt frame3and the corresponding second anchoring portion14on opposite ends thereof.

When the tilt bracket4is oriented at the horizontal position, the weight of the tilt bracket4(or the weight of the tilt bracket4and the supported article) pulls the tension spring sets91and the torsion springs92, thus causing a restoring energy to be respectively stored therein. When a user intends to adjust the tilt bracket4from the horizontal position to the maximum allowable inclined position, the restoring energy is released by the energy-storing device9at the instant when the tilt bracket4is released from the horizontal position. The restoring energy assists the user in adjusting the orientation of the tilt bracket4. The restoring energy of the energy-storing device9and the frictional force generated by the washers84and the washer assemblies work cooperatively in allowing the tilt bracket4(or tilt bracket4and the support article) to be oriented at any intermediate position or the maximum allowable inclined position within the adjustment range.

Please refer back toFIGS. 4-6. In use, the base plate11of the base1may be disposed on the working surface6(e.g., a table surface62). A monitor7is disposed on the tilt bracket4. Thereby, the monitor7may be selectively oriented anywhere within the adjustment range defined by the horizontal position and the maximum allowable inclined position. In practice, the display holder44needs to be provided with at least one retainer (e.g., hook) to retain the monitor7thereon. Since the retainer is not of main focus for the instant disclosure, no further illustration is provided herein.

Moreover, when the tilt bracket4is oriented at the horizontal position, the distance between the outer end portion411of the tilt bracket4and the table surface62is less than the distance therebetween when the tilt bracket4is oriented at the maximum allowable inclined position.

For the instant embodiment, the center of mass of the monitor7is projected near the central portion of the base plate11regardless of the position of the tilt bracket4. Therefore, the monitor7and the mounting apparatus would not tilt over due to imbalance. In addition, the inclination and rotational adjustments of the monitor7are independently performed to provide convenience for the user.

Second Embodiment

Please refer toFIG. 7, which shows a second embodiment of the monitor mounting apparatus in accordance with the instant disclosure. Comparing to the previous embodiment, the mounting apparatus of the instant embodiment is not provided with the tension spring sets91. Furthermore, the synchronizing mechanism8of the instant embodiment is capable of adjusting the inclination and the rotational movement of the monitor7on the tilt bracket4simultaneously.

For the instant embodiment, the mounting apparatus comprises a pair of angle-adjusting members22and a pair of tilt frames3. Each angle-adjusting member22has a base frame223and a sidewall224bendingly extended from an edge portion thereof. Each tilt arm3has a plate-like shape and a first end portion31and a second end portion32formed oppositely thereon. The interconnections between the angle-adjusting members22, the tilt arms3, the base1, and the position-adjusting members21are substantially similar to the previous embodiment, therefore no further elaboration is given herein.

Please refer toFIG. 8. A hole is formed centrally on the support plate41of the tilt bracket4, and a circular arc-shaped guide slot412is formed on the support plate41away from the hole. The radius of the arc is denoted by the alphabet “R”, and the corresponding central angle is substantially 90° but is not restricted thereto.

Likewise, the support plate41has an outer end portion411, where the angle-adjusting members22of the adjusting unit2are connected to one side portion of the support plate41away from the outer end portion411.

A circular hole is formed centrally on the turntable43of the tilt bracket4. A via hole433is formed on the turntable43and having a distance “R” away from the center of the turntable43(as shown inFIG. 9). The diameter of the via hole433is substantially the same as the width of the guide slot412. Furthermore, the display holder44of the tilt bracket4is fixed on the turntable43, as show inFIG. 7.

Please refer toFIGS. 8 and 10. The synchronizing mechanism8includes a set screw86, a plurality of washers84, a nut85, a guide frame87, a guide block88, a connecting arm89, and a traverser81.

The set screw86has a non-cylindrical body with two flat surfaces oppositely formed thereon. The set screw86penetrates the circular hole of the turntable43, the hole of the support plate41, and the nut85sequentially. Thus, the turntable43and the display holder44may rotate relative to the support plate41, and the turntable43may rotate axially relative to the support plate41.

The cross-section of the guide frame87is substantially U-shaped, and an elongated via-slot871is formed centrally thereon. The guide frame87is fixed on the surface of the support plate41facing away the turntable43on both ends thereof. An intermediate space872is defined between the guide frame87and the support plate41. The intermediate space872is in communication with the via-slot871and the guide slot412, and the via-slot871is arranged substantially in proximity to the guide slot412.

The guide block88may be movably arranged between the guide frame87and the support plate41. The opposite ends of the guide block88are arranged adjacent to the outer edges of the guide frame87and extending beyond therefrom. Such configuration forces the guide block88to traverse in a direction along the guide frame87only (denoted by the arrow inFIG. 10). Moreover, an elongated thru-slot881is formed on the portion of the guide block88within the intermediate space872. The thru-slot881projects in a direction substantially normal to the traversing direction of the guide block88.

One end of the connecting arm89may be pivotally connected to the base plate11of the base1. Whereas the other end of the connecting arm89is pivotally connected to the protruded end portions of the guide block88relative to the guide frame87. The edge of the other end portion of the connecting arm89is movably received by the via-slot871. One end of the traverser81penetrates the via-hole433of the turntable43, the guide slot412of the support plate41, and the thru-slot881of the guide block88in sequences.

As a whole, when the adjusting unit2adjusts the inclination of the tilt bracket4, the connecting arm89is pivotally displaced. The pivotal displacement of the connecting arm89moves the guide block88, making the traverser81to move within the guide slot412. Thereby, the traverser81would force the turntable43and the display holder44to rotate. Since the central angle of the guide slot412is substantially 90°, the maximum allowable rotational range for the display holder44is substantially 90°. Thus, the monitor7on the display holder44may be adjusted to anywhere within the adjustment range defined by the horizontal position and the maximum allowable angular position.

In summary, the monitor mounting apparatus of the instant disclosure may be provided with the synchronizing mechanism8, enabling the monitor7to be movably arranged on the tilt bracket4. The modified synchronizing mechanism8can further self-rotate the monitor7when adjusting the inclination of the tilt bracket4.