Abstract:
A support device includes a support arm and a support plate in which the support arm has two opposite clamps each having an arrangement for laterally moving a height adjustment mechanism so that after performing both vertical and horizontal adjustments of the clamps pressing pivotably connected arm members will secure a visual display (e.g., computer LCD display) onto the support plate.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of Invention 
   The invention relates to computer display holding devices and more particularly to a support device comprising a support arm and a support plate in which the support arm has two opposite clamps each having an arrangement for laterally moving a height adjustment mechanism so that after performing both vertical and horizontal adjustments of the clamps pressing pivotal arm members will secure a visual display (e.g., LCD (liquid crystal display) display) onto the support plate. 
   2. Description of Related Art 
   Conventionally, a holder is provided for supporting a computer display (e.g., LCD display) on the desk. However, most conventional LCD display holders are not structural strong and are not reliable. Thus, an LCD display being clamped by the conventional LCD display holder is subject to fall if sufficient care is not taken. 
   There have been numerous suggestions in prior patents for computer display holding devices. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,554,238 discloses a support arm for visual display unit. 
   Hence, a need remains for an improved computer display holding device in order to contribute significantly to the advancement of the art. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is therefore one object of the invention to provide a support device comprising a support arm and a support plate in which the support arm has two opposite clamps each having an arrangement for laterally moving a height adjustment mechanism so that after performing both vertical and horizontal adjustments of the clamps pressing pivotal arm members will secure a visual display (e.g., LCD display) onto the support plate. 
   The above and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken with the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of support arm for a computer display according to the invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a longitudinal sectional view of the right side portion of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a view similar to  FIG. 2  showing the base of an LCD display being clamped by the arm members; 
       FIG. 4  is an enlarged view of the top central portion of  FIG. 2  where the second arm member has been turned about 90 degrees; 
       FIG. 5  is a view similar to  FIG. 3  showing the lateral movement of the support plate; and 
       FIG. 6  is an enlarged view of the top central portion of  FIG. 5  showing the vertical movement of the height adjustment mechanism after adjustment. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1 to 6 , a support arm for a computer display (e.g., LCD display) in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention is generally designated  10 . The support arm  10  is provided with multiple pivotal joint. A support plate  20  is provided at an open end of the support arm  10 . The oval support plate  20  comprises two opposite clamps  22  at both sides. The base  90  of an LCD display (not shown) is fastened on the support plate  20  by the clamps  22 . 
   A support base  30  is provided and comprises a hole  31 . A threaded fastener  21  is adapted to fasten the support base  30  under the support plate  20  by driving through the hole  31 . A height adjustment mechanism  40  is provided at right side end of the support base  30  (see  FIG. 2 ). The height adjustment mechanism  40  comprises an upper threaded hole  41 . A pivotal first arm member  60  is provided on the top of the height adjustment mechanism  40  by fastening at the upper threaded hole  41 . A first bolt  61  is driven through a longitudinal through hole  621  of a transverse pivot  62  at one end of the first arm member  60  into the upper threaded hole  41  for fastening. 
   A pivotal second arm member  70  comprises a transverse pivot  71  at the other end. A longitudinal through hole  711  is provided through the transverse pivot  71 . A transverse pivot  63  is provided at one end of the first arm member  60 . A longitudinal through hole  631  is provided through the transverse pivot  63 . A washer  72  is squeezed between and by the longitudinal through hole  631  and the longitudinal through hole  711  which is aligned with the longitudinal through hole  631 . A second bolt  80  is driven through the longitudinal through hole  711  and the washer  72  into the longitudinal through hole  631  for fastening. 
   The height adjustment mechanism  40  further comprises a cylindrical member  42  with both ends open. The cylindrical member  42  has a narrow opening  421  at a lower end. The height adjustment mechanism  40  further comprises a adjustment screw  43  having a threaded shank  431  inserted through the opening  421 , an intermediate disk  432  squeezed between and by the bottom of the cylindrical member  42  and the bottom of a hollow first cylinder  44  with both ends open. The first cylinder  44  is partially mounted in the cylindrical member  42  and is adapted to vertically move with respect thereto. A hollow second cylinder  45  with both ends open is provided to substantially enclose most of the second cylinder  44  and the cylindrical member  42  in one operating position (see  FIG. 2 ). The second cylinder  45  has a narrow top opening (not numbered) with the first bolt  61  driven through. 
   The first cylinder  44  comprises a threaded hole  441  on the bottom being threadedly secured to the threaded shank  431  such that turning the adjustment screw  43  in one direction (e.g., clockwise direction) will lift the second cylinder  44  or turning the adjustment screw  43  in the other opposite direction (e.g., counterclockwise direction) will lower the second cylinder  44  (see  FIG. 6 ). As an end, the height of the clamp  20  can be adjusted for fitting different LCD displays with various base heights. 
   As shown in  FIG. 3  specifically, the base  90  of the LCD display is placed on the support plate  20 . Next, pivotably press the second arm member  70  to urge against the top of the base  90  of the LCD display with one end of the first arm member  60  also urging against the top of the base  90  of the LCD display. 
   As shown in  FIG. 4  specifically, the second arm member  70  has been turned about 90 degrees from that shown in  FIG. 3 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 5  specifically, the fastener  21  is loosened at the hole  31  so as to permit the height adjustment mechanism  40  to move laterally until a desired position is reached. Next, fasten the fastener  21  again to fix the support plate  20 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 6  specifically, it is possible of turning the adjustment screw  43  in one direction (e.g., clockwise direction) to lift the second cylinder  44  or turning the adjustment screw  43  in the other opposite direction (e.g., counterclockwise direction) to lower the second cylinder  44 . As an end, the purpose of adjusting the height of the clamp  20  to fit different LCD displays with various base (i.e., the base  90  of the LCD display) heights. 
   While the invention herein disclosed has been described by means of specific embodiments, numerous modifications and variations could be made thereto by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention set forth in the claims.