Abstract:
A moveable support system for a video monitor comprised of a straight or curved overhead mounted track, a support tube with a rotating head to which the monitor is attached, and a wireless remote which controls the position along the track as well as the rotational angle of the monitor. The track provides mechanical support for the monitor as well as a conduit for the retractable wiring and cabling which connects the wall or cabinet mounted base unit to the monitor. This system allows movement to any position along the overhead mounted track as well as variable angular position of the monitor with respect to the vertical axis of the support tube.

Description:
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a support system for at least one display device. This display support system is comprised of an overhead mounted track that defines a straight or curved path along which the monitor may move, a vertical support member from which the monitor is suspended and mechanisms which provide for cable management as well as power assisted movement along the track and rotational movement of the monitor to provide various viewing angles. The monitor is capable of power assisted rotation approaching 360 degrees at any location along the track. Movement along the track is provided by wheels riding on a pair of parallel rails contained within the overhead track. Also, suspension springs within the overhead mechanism provide for substantial robustness and damping in cases where a person accidentally bumps the monitor, causing it to sway. A limited slip mechanism provides for robustness within the rotational mechanism. Cable extension and retraction within the track is provided for by a flexible coiled tube through which all related electrical connections pass. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
       [0002]    Embodiments of the invention are discussed below in detail. In describing embodiments, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology used. While specific exemplary embodiments are discussed, it should be understood that this is done for illustrative purposes only. A person skilled in the relevant art will recognize that other components and configurations can be used without parting from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
         [0003]      FIG. 1A  shows a side view of a display support system for a moveable display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The display support system includes a track system, a cable management system enclosed in the track system (see  FIGS. 1A ,  1 B,  2 A,  2 B) and a vertical support member  FIG. 4 , which is moveably engaged with the track system for supporting the movement and rotation of the display device  57  along a display movement path defined by the overhead track. The vertical support member  53  is capable of being moved from point A to any point in between Point A and Point B and rotated to a desired viewing angle and position. Point A along the display movement path corresponds to the starting movement point, where the movement of the display device begins. Point B along the display movement path corresponds to the farthest movement point, where the movement of the display device ends. Depending on user requirements, the length and path of the track system can be configured to accommodate a wide variety of display movement paths, including straight, curved, and/or angled sections in any combination.  FIG. 1A  shows a straight path, however, this is not to be construed as limiting this to non-curved and non-angled paths. 
         [0004]    As shown in  FIG. 1A , cabling enters the display support system track at  50 . These cables are routed through a flexible spiral tube  51  made of a flexible material such as vinyl, polyurethane, or other material with similar properties and these cables link into the motorized carrier  52 . Cables are further routed through the vertical support tube  53  &amp;  FIG. 4  to the motorized pivot head  FIG. 5  and finally to the display monitor  57  to provide power and signal for displaying user selectable content such as video, signage, and an infinite variety of other display content. The display monitor is suspended from the support tube  53  by the support bracket  56 . A wireless remote control  56  provides for control of the both the linear movement along the track as well as rotational movement of the display  57  angle. 
         [0005]    As shown in  FIG. 2A , the wireless remote  58  actuates the motorized carrier  52 , which moves the support tube  53  and monitor  57  to any desired position along the track rails  60 . Additionally, as shown in  FIG. 2B , the wireless remote  58  actuates the motorized pivot head  55  to adjust the viewing angle to accommodate the preference of the user and room configuration. 
         [0006]    A cosmetic cover  59   FIG. 1A  including support brackets, and the rails  60   FIG. 1B  define the path of the display support system and provide physical support for the suspension and movement of the display. 
         [0007]      FIG. 3A  shows the flexible coil tube  51  and the motorized carrier  52 . Cables and wires are routed through the flexible coil tube  51 , which rides on the rails  60  as the motorized carrier  52  moves along its path. The flexible coil tube  51  is attached in a fixed position at starting point A  FIG. 1A  where the cables and wires enter the tube. The other end of the flexible coil tube  51  is attached to the motorized carrier  52 , then cables and wires are routed down through the vertical support tube  53  to the motorized pivot head  55  where several wires  97  exit and are attached to the master control board  84 . Control wires  83  are attached to the master control board  84   FIG. 3B  and are routed to the motor  80  and mechanisms of the motorized pivot head  55 . Control wires  79  for the motorized carrier  52  are routed from the master control board  84  (located in the motorized pivot head  55 ) back up through the vertical support tube  53  to the motor  78   FIG. 3A  and mechanisms of the motorized carrier  52 . The vertical support tube is attached to the motorized carrier  52  on the vertical tube support bracket  76 . 
         [0008]    The cables and wires which provide power and signal to the display monitor  57  are routed thru the flexible coil tube  51  down through the vertical support tube  53  and continue down in a cable routing bundle  98  through the motorized pivot head  55  and down to the terminals on the display monitor  57 . 
         [0009]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  show details of the motorized carrier  52 . The motorized carrier  52  is composed of a suspension system and a drive system. The suspension system consists of suspension wheels  74  which ride on top of the rails  60  and guide wheels  77  which are located between the two rails. The guide wheels  77  keep the motorized carrier  52  aligned with the rails  60  and limit sideways and rotational movement. The suspension wheels  74  are attached to a sway stabilizer bar  75  which rests against the sway stabilizer springs  73 . There are two sway stabilizer bars  75 , one on the leading end of the motorized carrier  52 , and one on the trailing end of the motorized carrier  52  which are attached to the carrier housing  70 . These sway stabilizer bars  75 , along with the suspension wheels  74  and suspension springs  73  provide a dual purpose suspension system. Firstly, they provide a damping mechanism to stabilize the vertical position of the vertical support tube  53  and reduce sway during movement of the motorized carrier  52  and during an accidental bump of the display by any occupant of the room. Secondly, this suspension system reduces the maximum load upon the axle and drive of the motor mechanism located in the motorized carrier  52 . The drive system is composed of a motor and gears contained in the carrier housing  70  driving a single drive wheel  71  that contacts the rails  60  and moves the motorized carrier  52  down the track. A free wheel  72  is provided on the opposite side and rides on the opposite rail to balance the load from the weight of the display. 
         [0010]      FIG. 4  shows the routing of the cables and wires through the vertical support tube  53 . 
         [0011]      FIG. 5  shows details of the motorized pivot head  55 . The motorized pivot head  55  provides power and control of the rotational position of the display  57 . The motorized pivot  55  head also houses the master control board  84  which interacts with the wireless remote  58  as well as all movement and rotation of the display support system. The master control board  84  reads information from the wireless remote via the IR detector  85 , translates this into commands which control the pivot motor  80 , the optical encoder  86 , and the motorized carrier motor  78 . The master control board  84  is capable of reading rotational position via the optical encoder  86  and the position markers  89 . The control board is capable of storing the position of the motorized carrier  52  on the track and rotational position of the motorized pivot head  55 , so that the user can press a button on the wireless remote  58  to send the display unit to home position at Point A  FIG. 2A , then later activate the stored location and then the display returns to the previously saved position and rotation angle. The pivot motor is controlled by the master control board. Differential gears  81  provide rotational force to rotate the motorized pivot head  55  and its attached display  57 . Other key features of the motorized pivot  55  head are the cluster of the nylon washer  90 , pivot collar  82 , nylon plates  88 , metal plate  87 , tension shaft  94 , load carrying adjustment nut  95  and limited slip adjustment nut  93 . 
         [0012]    The load carrying adjustment nut  95  reduces the downwards pressure on the nylon washer  90 , thereby reducing the force needed to turn the motorized pivot head  55  with respect to the vertical support tube  53 . 
         [0013]    The limited slip adjustment nut  93  provides adjustment of the amount of rotational tension that will be accumulated before the limited slip mechanism starts to slip and allow rotation of the ring gear  100   FIG. 5  with respect to the vertical support tube  53 . The purpose of the limited slip mechanism is to allow the display to rotate in cases of a person bumping the edge of the display and allowing it to turn rather than damage gears or other mechanisms in the motorized pivot head  55 . 
         [0014]    The upper body plate  91  and the lower body plate  92  together with the fasteners  99  provide the structure to which the motor and mechanism of the motorized pivot head  55  are attached. The bracket  56  which supports the weight of the display  57  is attached to the lower body plate  92 .