Patent Publication Number: US-2010116961-A1

Title: Foldable System for Supporting Multiple Computer Monitors

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to provisional application No. 60/112,294, filed on Nov. 7, 2008. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to multi-monitor display devices and more specifically to stands for supporting more than one computer monitor. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The number of multi-monitor or multi-screen computer display systems has increased in recent years as computer users in various industries adapt their use to new environments. For example, a multi-monitor display system can be used to create the illusion of a larger screen, thereby allowing a securities trader to view a large single spreadsheet over several displays. Alternately, the trader may view individual applications on individual screens (for example, one screen may display a Web Browser, a second a new service and a third a spreadsheet of financial data). 
     Individuals working with still or moving images, such as graphics artists, video or film editors or medical diagnosticians may also use multi-monitor display systems. A given image may be viewed across several screens or two images may be viewed side-by-side (such as two x-ray images used to assess the extent to which a broken bone has healed). 
     Conventional stands for multi-monitor display systems can be large and unwieldy, making packing of such stands for transport or storage inefficient. Thus, there is a need to provide a stand for multiple monitors that is more compact than conventional stands. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Described herein is a system having a low profile storage position for supporting multiple computer monitors. The system includes a base, a support column connected to the base, and an arm assembly connected to the support column for supporting multiple computer monitors. A base-column hinge, near where the support column connects to the base, has a substantially horizontal rotation axis when the base rests on a horizontal surface that allows the support column to fold downwards to become substantially parallel to the base. The arm assembly includes a first hinge for rotating a first portion of the arm assembly from an extended position to a folded position and a second hinge for rotating a second portion of the arm assembly opposite the first portion from an extended position to a folded position. 
     Various embodiments have optional features such as: in the folded positions, the first and second portions are substantially parallel to the rest of the arm assembly, the first hinge has a substantially vertical axis of rotation for rotating the first portion about that axis, the longitudinal length of the first portion is substantially the same as the longitudinal length of the second portion, the first portion can rotate about 180 degrees, the first hinge has a horizontal rotation axis that allows the first portion to rotate 90 degrees thereabout such that in the folded position the first portion is substantially parallel to the support column, the horizontal axis is substantially perpendicular to the arm assembly when the first portion is in the extended position. In the folded position, the first portion can be less than one centimeter from the support column or the first portion can nest within the support column. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a system for supporting multiple computer monitors, according to the principles of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of the system of  FIG. 1  with the monitors removed. 
         FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of the system of  FIG. 1  with first and second portions of the arm assembly in the folded positions. 
         FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of the system of  FIG. 1  with the first and second portions in their folded positions, and the support column also folded down. 
         FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of another embodiment of a system for supporting multiple computer monitors in which the rotational axis of the hinges on the arm assembly have different orientation than those in  FIG. 1 , in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  shows a perspective view of the system of  FIG. 5  illustrating first second portions of the arm assembly nesting within grooves, respectively when in the folded position. 
         FIG. 7  shows a perspective view of another embodiment of a system for supporting multiple computer monitors, in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  shows a perspective view of the system of  FIG. 7  in a folded position. 
         FIG. 9  a perspective view of another embodiment of a system for supporting multiple computer monitors that includes hinges in the base and arm assembly, in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  shows a perspective view of the system of  FIG. 9  in a folded position. 
         FIG. 11  shows a close up of a hinge, and surrounding area, of the system in  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 12  shows a perspective view of another embodiment of a system for supporting multiple computer monitors, in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
         FIG. 13  shows the system of  FIG. 12  with arm portions partly rotated. 
         FIG. 14  shows the system of  FIG. 12  in a folded position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  shows a system  10  for supporting multiple computer monitors  12  and  14 .  FIG. 2  shows the same system  10  but with the monitors  12  and  14  removed. The system  10  includes a base  16 , a support column  18  connected to the base  16 , and an arm assembly  20  connected to the support column  18 . The arm assembly  20  includes a first hinge  22  and a second hinge  24 . The arm assembly  20  includes a first connector station  26  and a second connector station  28  for attaching first and second connectors  27  and  29  thereto. 
     The base  16  engages a support surface (not shown), such as a desk or wall, which supports the system  10 . The support column  18  supports the arm assembly  20  from the base  16 . Monitors  12  and  14  are removably connected to the arm assembly  26  via the connectors  27  and  29 . The connectors  27  and  29  can include a ball and socket connector for removably and rotatably connecting the monitors  12  and  14  to the arm assembly  20 . An appropriate ball and socket connector for removably connecting a display monitor is taught in U.S. Pat. No. 6,702,604 to Jerry Moscovitch. Other connectors may also be used. 
     The arm assembly  20  includes the first hinge  22  for rotating a first portion  30  of the arm assembly  20  from an extended position to a folded position. Likewise, the arm assembly  20  includes the second hinge  24  for rotating the second portion  32  of the arm assembly  20  from an extended position to a folded position. The first and second portions  30  and  32  are shown in their extended positions in  FIG. 2 . 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , the longitudinal length  34  of the first portion  30  is substantially the same as the longitudinal length  36  of the second portion  32 , and the longitudinal length  34  of the first portion  30  is about one quarter the longitudinal length  38  of the arm assembly  20  when the first and second portions  30  and  32  are in their extended positions. 
       FIG. 2  shows the system  10  with the first and second portions  30  and  32  in the extended positions.  FIG. 3  shows the system  10  with the first and second portions  30  and  32  in the folded positions. In rotating from the extended position to the folded position, the first portion  30  rotates approximately 180 degrees counter-clockwise (as viewed from the top) about a substantially vertical axis of rotation  40 . Likewise, in rotating from the extended position to the folded position, the second portion  32  rotates approximately 180 degrees clockwise about a substantially vertical axis of rotation  42 . It should be understood that instead or in addition, the first portion  30  could rotate 180 degrees clockwise and the second portion  32  could rotate 180 degrees counter-clockwise. In such case, the first and second portions would face the back of the arm assembly  20  instead of the front of the arm assembly as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
     The system  10  may further include a hinge  44  near where the support column  18  meets the base  16 . The hinge  44  has a horizontal rotation axis  45  that is substantially parallel to the arm assembly  20  when the first and second portions  30  and  32  are in their extended positions. The hinge  44  allows the support column  18  to fold downwards approximately 90 degrees, as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , advantageously, when in the first and second portions  30  and  32  are in their folded positions, and the support column  18  is also folded down, the system  10  is more compact for shipping or storage in a box  46 , for instance. 
       FIG. 5  shows another embodiment  50  of the present invention in which the rotational axis of the hinge has a different orientation. The system  50  includes a base  56 , a support column  58  with grooves  57  and  59  on either side thereof. The support column  58  is connected to the base  56 , and an arm assembly  60  is connected to the support column  58 . The arm assembly  60  includes a first hinge  62  and a second hinge  64 . The arm assembly  60  includes a first connector station  66  and a second connector station  68  for attaching monitor connectors (not shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 ) thereto. 
     The arm assembly  60  includes the first hinge  62  for rotating a first portion  70  of the arm assembly  60  from an extended position to a folded position. Likewise, the arm assembly  60  includes the second hinge  64  for rotating a second portion  72  of the arm assembly  60  from an extended position to a folded position. The second portion  72  is shown in its extended position in  FIG. 5 . 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , the first hinge  62  has a horizontal rotation axis  74 . The horizontal rotation axis  74  is substantially perpendicular to the arm assembly  60  when the first portion  70  is in the extended position. The first portion  70  of the arm assembly  60  can rotate 90 degrees about the horizontal rotation axis  74  from the extended position to the folded position such that in the folded position, the first portion  70  is substantially parallel to the support column  58 . Likewise, the second hinge  64  has a horizontal rotation axis  75 .  FIG. 6  shows the arm assembly  60  with the first and second portions  70  and  72  in the folded positions. A hinge  77  near the junction of the base  56  and support column  58  also allows the support column  58  to assume a folded position. 
     In the embodiment of  FIG. 6 , the first portion  70  and the second portion  72  nest within the grooves  57  and  59 , respectively, of the support column  58  when in the folded position. In other embodiments, the first portion can be adjacent but not touching the support column, or the first portion can rest on a support column with no grooves when in the folded position. 
     In  FIG. 7 , another embodiment of a system  90  for supporting multiple computer monitors is shown. The system  90  includes a base  92  for resting on a horizontal surface. The base  92  includes a first base portion  94  and a second base portion  96 . A support column  98  is connected to the base  92 . The system  90  further includes an arm assembly  100  connected to the support column  98  for supporting multiple computer monitors (not shown in  FIG. 7 ). The system  90  additionally includes a first hinge  102  in the first base portion  94  having a first rotation axis  104  that is substantially perpendicular to the arm assembly and substantially horizontal when the base  92  is resting on the horizontal support surface. The first base portion  94  can rotate about the first rotation axis  104  from an extended position to a folded position. Likewise, the system  90  further includes a second hinge  106  in the base  92  having a second rotation axis  108  that is substantially perpendicular to the arm assembly  100  and substantially horizontal when the base  92  is resting on the horizontal support surface. The second base portion  96  can rotate about the second rotation axis  108  from an extended position to a folded position. 
     In  FIG. 7 , the first and second base portions  94  and  96  are shown in their extended positions. In  FIG. 8 , the first and second base portions  94  and  96  are shown in their folded positions. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 8 , the first base portion  94  rests against the support column  98  when the first base portion  94  is in the folded position, and the second base portion  96  rests against the support column  98  when the second base portion  96  is in the folded position. 
     In  FIG. 9 , another embodiment of a system  120  for supporting multiple computer monitors is shown that includes hinges in the base and arm assembly. The system  120  includes a base  122  for resting on a horizontal surface. The base  122  includes a first base portion  124  and a second base portion  126 . A support column  128  is connected to the base  122 . The system  120  further includes an arm assembly  130  connected to the support column  128  for supporting multiple computer monitors (not shown in  FIG. 9 ). 
     The system  120  additionally includes a first hinge  132  in the first base portion  124  having a first rotation axis  134  that is substantially perpendicular to the arm assembly  130  and substantially horizontal when the base  122  is resting on the horizontal support surface. The first base portion  124  can rotate about the first rotation axis  134  from an extended position to a folded position. Likewise, the system  120  further includes a second hinge  136  in the base  122  having a second rotation axis  138  that is substantially perpendicular to the arm assembly  130  and substantially horizontal when the base  122  is resting on the horizontal support surface. The second base portion  126  can rotate about the second rotation axis  138  from an extended position to a folded position. The hinges  132  and  136  are similar to hinges  102  and  106  shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . 
     The system  120  also includes a first hinge  142  for rotating a first portion  144  of the arm assembly  130  from an extended position to a folded position. The first hinge  142  has a first rotation axis  145  that is substantially perpendicular to the arm assembly  130  and substantially horizontal when the base  122  is resting on the horizontal support surface. Likewise, the arm assembly  130  includes a second hinge  146  for rotating a second portion  148  of the arm assembly  130  from an extended position to a folded position. The second hinge  146  has a second rotation axis  147  that is substantially perpendicular to the arm assembly  130  and substantially horizontal when the base  122  is resting on the horizontal support surface. The hinges  142  and  146  are similar to hinges  62  and  64  of  FIGS. 5 and 6 . 
     The first base portion  124 , the second base portion  126  and the second portion  148  of the arm assembly  130  are shown in their extended positions in  FIG. 9 . The first base portion  124 , the second base portion  126 , the first portion  144  of the arm assembly  130  and the second portion  148  of the arm assembly  130  are all shown in their folded positions in  FIG. 10 . 
       FIG. 11  shows a close up of the hinge  142  and surrounding area. A securing mechanism  150 , such as a latch, having a flexible projection  152  mates with a mating member  154 . When the first portion  144  is rotated into the extended position, the flexible portion  152  deflects before mating with the mating member  154  to securely maintain the first portion  144  in the extended position even as the first portion  144  supports a monitor. To rotate the first portion  144  from the extended position to the folded position, the flexible projection  152  is depressed to clear the mating member  154  to allow rotation of the first portion into the folded position. Aside from the latch  150 , other means can also be used to secure the first portion in the extended position, such as clasps, screws and clamps. 
     In the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 5 ,  6  and  9 , the first portion of the arm assembly rotates counter-clockwise when moving from the extended position to the folded position. In other embodiments, the first portion can rotate clockwise, so that the first portion is substantially above the support column when in the folded position.  FIGS. 12-14  show such an embodiment of a system  200  for supporting multiple computer monitors. The system  200  also includes a base  201  for supporting a support column  203  therefrom. The system  200  includes an arm assembly  202  having a first portion  204  and a second portion  206 . The arm assembly  202  includes a first double hinge  208  and a second double hinge  210 . 
     The arm assembly  202  includes the first double hinge  208  for rotating the first portion  204  of the arm assembly  202  from an extended position to a folded position. Likewise, the arm assembly  202  includes the second double hinge  210  for rotating the second portion  206  of the arm assembly  202  from an extended position to a folded position. The first and second portions  204  and  206  are shown in their extended positions in  FIG. 12 . 
     The first double hinge  208  includes two parallel rotation axes  209  and  211  that provide two degrees of freedom and allow the first portion  204  to assume the folded position of  FIG. 14 . The second double hinge  210  allows the second portion  206  to assume a folded position, as also shown in  FIG. 14 .  FIG. 13  shows the first and second portions  204  and  206  in intermediate rotated positions. Disposing the first and second double hinges  208  and  210  at the top of the arm assembly  202  obviates the need for a securing mechanism, such as a latch, to secure the first and second portions in the extended positions. 
     The system  200  of  FIGS. 12-14  also includes a hinge  212  at the base  201  for folding the support column  203 . The resultant folded configuration, shown in  FIG. 14 , results in a quite flat geometry for the system  200 , which is conducive to efficient packing for shipping or storing. 
     It will be appreciated that the embodiments described herein are exemplary only and are not meant to limit the scope of the invention whose scope is defined by the following claims.