Abstract:
The invention of the present application is an extendable, modular device ( 10 ) for supporting multiple displays. The modular display support device comprising: a column ( 18 ), being linear and extending along a longitudinal axis; a plurality of beam members comprising a center beam member ( 24 ) and a side beam member ( 46   a,    46   b ), each of the plurality of beam members having identical front and rear channels ( 42   a,    42   b ), each of the front and rear channels including opposing top and bottom rails ( 40   a,    40   b ); a hinge joint ( 60   a ) adapted to connect the side beam member to the center beam member and enable the side beam member to pivot about a pivot axis; a beam attachment bracket adapted to secure either of the plurality of beam members to the column; and at least one display mounting assembly comprising a pair of rail mounting brackets that mate together within one of the front and rear channels of one of the plurality of beam members.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to apparatuses for supporting display devices, more particularly to an expandable or modular apparatus for supporting multiple displays. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    It is increasingly common for computer users to use multiple displays (e.g., monitors) as part of their workstations. Many exiting multi-display devices are not expandable or reconfigurable in order to support a different number of displays or to support the displays in an array of different configurations. 
         [0003]    Accordingly, there is a need for an expandable, modular multi-display apparatus that is versatile and configurable according to the wants and needs of the user. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0004]    The expandable multi-display support apparatus according to the present invention is further described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0005]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a multi-display device according to the present invention; 
           [0006]      FIG. 2A  is a front perspective view of a center beam member in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0007]      FIG. 2B  is a rear view thereof; 
           [0008]      FIG. 3A  is a front perspective view of a side beam member in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3B  is a rear view thereof; 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the center beam member of  FIGS. 2A and 2B ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a hinge joint in accordance with the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a hinge joint in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a hinge joint in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIGS. 8A-8C  are various views of an arm mount cup in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 9  is a rear perspective view of an alternate embodiment of an arm mount cup in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 10  is a partial exploded view of a rigid joint in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 11  is a partial exploded view showing how a pole mount bracket attaches to an end of a beam member in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 12  is a partial exploded view showing how the pole mount bracket of  FIG. 11  attaches to a side of a beam member in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIGS. 13A and 13B  show various views of a pole mount cup in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a rigid pole mount in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of a pole mount bushing in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 16A  is a partial exploded view showing how a beam end cover attaches to an end of a beam member in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 16B  is a rear perspective view of the beam end cover of  FIG. 16A ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 17A  is a front perspective view of a display support attached to a beam member in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 17B  is a side view thereof; 
           [0026]      FIG. 17C  is a perspective view showing how components of the display support may be attached to a beam member in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 18  is a partial exploded view showing how the display support attaches to a side of the beam member in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0028]      FIG. 19  is a partial exploded view of a display support in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0029]      FIGS. 20A-20C  are various views of a rail mounting bracket in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0030]      FIG. 21  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a rail mounting bracket in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0031]      FIG. 22  is a partial exploded view showing how a beam member attaches to a support column in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0032]      FIG. 23  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a multi-display device according to the present invention; 
           [0033]      FIG. 24  is an exploded view of a portion thereof; 
           [0034]      FIG. 25  is a perspective view of a lift column in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0035]      FIG. 26  is a partial exploded view thereof; 
           [0036]      FIGS. 27-29  are partial views of portions of the lift column of  FIG. 25 ; 
           [0037]      FIG. 30  is an alternate embodiment of a lift column in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0038]      FIGS. 31A and 31B  are perspective views of an embodiment of a display support in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0039]      FIG. 32  is a perspective view of an adjustment enclosure thereof; 
           [0040]      FIG. 33  is a partial exploded view of the display support of  FIG. 31 ; 
           [0041]      FIG. 34  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a display support in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0042]      FIG. 35  is a perspective view of an adjustment enclosure thereof; 
           [0043]      FIG. 36  is a partial exploded view of the display support of  FIG. 34 ; 
           [0044]      FIG. 37  is a rear perspective view showing an embodiment of a cable router attached to the rear side of a beam member in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0045]      FIG. 38A  is a rear perspective view of the cable router; 
           [0046]      FIG. 38B  is a side view thereof; 
           [0047]      FIG. 39  is an alternate configuration of a multi-display device in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0048]      FIG. 40  is a front perspective view of another alternate configuration of a multi-display device in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0049]      FIG. 41  is a close-up view of the area marked  41 - 41  in  FIG. 40 ; and 
           [0050]      FIG. 42  is a front perspective view of another alternate configuration of a multi-display device in accordance with the present invention. 
       
    
    
     ASPECTS OF THE INVENTION 
       [0051]    Additional aspects of the invention include: 
         [0052]    Aspect 1: A modular display support device comprising a column, the column being linear and extending along a longitudinal axis; a plurality of beam members comprising a center beam member and a side beam member, each of the plurality of beam members having identical front and rear channels, each of the front and rear channels including opposing top and bottom rails; a hinge joint adapted to connect the side beam member to the center beam member and enable the side beam member to pivot about a pivot axis; a beam attachment bracket adapted to secure either of the plurality of beam members to the column; and at least one display mounting assembly comprising a pair of rail mounting brackets that mate together within one of the front and rear channels of one of the plurality of beam members and collectively engage the top and bottom rails thereof, and at least one bracket that engages the pair of rail mounting brackets and is adapted to support a display therefrom. 
         [0053]    Aspect 2: The modular display support device of Aspect 1, wherein the opposing top and bottom rails are identical. 
         [0054]    Aspect 3: The modular display support device of either of Aspects 1 and 2, wherein the beam attachment bracket is adapted to be secured to the column via a friction fit when the beam attachment bracket is secured to the center beam member. 
         [0055]    Aspect 4: The modular display support device of any of Aspects 1-3, wherein the beam attachment bracket and the center beam member collectively envelope a portion of the longitudinal axis of the column when the beam attachment bracket is secured to the center beam member. 
         [0056]    Aspect 5: The modular display support device of any of Aspects 1-4, wherein the hinge joint is secured to the center beam member and the side beam member by protrusions that extend from the hinge joint and that are secured within complementary-shaped slots formed in ends of the center beam member and side beam member. 
         [0057]    Aspect 6: The modular display support device of any of Aspects 1-5, wherein the pivot axis is parallel to the longitudinal axis. 
         [0058]    Aspect 7: The modular display support device of any of Aspects 1-6, wherein the display mounting assembly further includes an adapter plate having at least one set of VESA-compliant mounting holes. 
         [0059]    Aspect 8: The modular display support device of any of Aspect 7, wherein the display mounting assembly further comprises a tilter that is adapted to enable at least two axes of rotational freedom for the adapter plate. 
         [0060]    Aspect 9: The modular display support device of any of Aspects 1-8, wherein the front and rear channels have substantially constant cross-sectional shapes along a length of center beam member. 
         [0061]    Aspect 10: The modular display support device of any of Aspects 1-9, wherein the column is height-adjustable. 
         [0062]    Aspect 11: A hinge joint comprising a female hinge bracket having a rear portion, a top coupling, and a bottom coupling, the top coupling and bottom coupling collectively forming a female portion, the top coupling including a top aperture, the bottom coupling including a bottom aperture, the rear portion having two protrusions extending in a direction opposite to the female portion; a male hinge bracket having a rear portion and a protruding portion, the protruding portion including a central aperture, the rear portion having two protrusions extending in a direction opposite to the protruding portion, the female portion of the female hinge bracket and the protruding portion of the male hinge bracket being of complementary shape; a hinge pin having a head, a locking portion, and a shaft, the head having a perimeter that is larger than the top aperture, the head being located atop the locking portion and the shaft, the locking portion extending laterally from the shaft, the shaft having a length that is greater than the length of the locking portion; a top bushing having a first portion located within the central aperture and between the central aperture and the shaft when the hinge joint is fully assembled and a second portion located above the central aperture and between the protruding portion and the top coupling when the hinge joint is fully assembled; and a bottom bushing having a first portion located within the central aperture and between the central aperture and the shaft when the hinge joint is fully assembled and a second portion located below the central aperture and between the protruding portion and the bottom coupling when the hinge joint is fully assembled. 
         [0063]    Aspect 12: The hinge joint of Aspect 11, the top aperture having a top aperture depth, wherein when the hinge joint is fully assembled the locking portion extends downwardly from the head a distance that is no greater than the top aperture depth. 
         [0064]    Aspect 13: The hinge joint of either of Aspects 11 and 12, further comprising a washer having a disc portion and at least one protrusion extending from the disc portion, the at least one protrusion being shaped and positioned to engage at least one slot located in a bottom surface of the shaft and prevent rotation of the shaft relative to the disc portion. 
         [0065]    Aspect 14: The hinge joint of any of Aspects 11-13, wherein the central and bottom apertures have circular cross-sectional shapes. 
         [0066]    Aspect 15: The hinge joint of any of Aspects 11-14, wherein the locking portion and the shaft aggregately have a non-circular cross-sectional shape that is complementary to the cross-sectional shape of the top aperture. 
         [0067]    Aspect 16: A method of pivoting a side beam member of a display support device comprising a center beam member that is affixed to a column, the method comprising: (a) providing a hinge joint having a female hinge bracket that is attached to the center beam member, a male hinge bracket that is attached to the side beam member, and a hinge pin having a shaft that extends through a top aperture in the female hinge bracket, a bottom aperture in the female hinge bracket, and a central aperture in the male hinge bracket that is aligned with and positioned between the top and bottom apertures, the shaft having a longitudinal axis; (b) rotating the male hinge joint and the side beam member about the longitudinal axis; and (c) preventing rotation of the hinge pin while performing step (b). 
         [0068]    Aspect 17: The method of Aspect 16, wherein step (a) further comprises providing the hinge pin with a locking portion located near the top end of the shaft and providing the top aperture with a non-circular cross-sectional shape, the locking portion and top end of the shaft having an aggregate cross-sectional shape that is complementary to the cross-sectional shape of the top aperture. 
         [0069]    Aspect 18: A display support device comprising: a beam member attached to a column, the beam member having a first end, a second end opposing the first end, a first face, and a second face opposing the first face, both of the first end and the second end having at least one attachment slot therein, the first face and second faces being identical and having identical top and bottom rails along a length of the beam member, the length of the beam member being measured between the first and second ends; and a first bracket having a protruding portion and a coupling, the protruding portion having a cross-sectional shape that complements a cross-sectional shape of the at least one attachment slot located in the first and second ends, the protruding portion being directly attachable to the at least one attachment slot of both the first and second ends, the first bracket being attachable via a second bracket to at least one of the top and bottom rails of both the front side and the rear side, the second bracket having an attachment slot having a cross-sectional shape that complements the cross-sectional shape of the protruding portion. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0070]    The ensuing detailed description provides preferred exemplary embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the herein disclosed inventions. Rather, the ensuing detailed description of the preferred exemplary embodiments will provide those skilled in the art with an enabling description for implementing the preferred exemplary embodiments in accordance with the herein disclosed invention. It is understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as set forth in the appended claims. 
         [0071]    To aid in describing the invention, directional terms may be used in the specification and claims to describe portions of the present invention (e.g., upper, lower, left, right, etc.). These directional definitions are merely intended to assist in describing and claiming the invention and are not intended to limit the invention in any way. In addition, reference numerals that are introduced in the specification in association with a drawing figure may be repeated in one or more subsequent figures without additional description in the specification, in order to provide context for other features. 
         [0072]    The present application incorporates by reference the entire contents of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/912,418, filed Dec. 5, 2013 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/009,325, filed Jun. 8, 2014 as if the contents thereof were set forth herein in their entireties. 
         [0073]    It is now common for computer users to simultaneously use multiple displays at their workstations. Because different users have different wants and needs with respect to their display configuration, it is desirable to have an expandable, modular apparatus for supporting multiple displays that is highly configurable to support two or more displays in a great variety of different configurations, without the need for a large amount of unique parts. The invention taught in the present application provides a solution to this need by including parts that are versatile and configurable into a great variety of different configurations, as needed by a particular user. The multi-display device in accordance with the present invention is also easily expandable, should a user later desire to add one or more additional displays to their workstation. 
         [0074]      FIGS. 1-42  generally show embodiments and configurations of a multi-display device in accordance with the present invention. In  FIG. 1 , one embodiment of a multi-display device  10  is shown. In this embodiment, the device  10  comprises a base plate  12  including four base plate mounting holes  14   a - 14   d  that are used to mount the base plate  12  to a support surface (not shown) via base mounting bolts  13   a - 13   d  (see  FIG. 23 ), a column  18  that extends from the base plate  12 , a support beam row  22   a , and an attachment bracket  20  that attaches the support beam row  22   a  to the column  18 . A base plate cover  16  may optionally be used to cover the base plate  12  after it has been attached to a support surface, for aesthetic purposes and to protect electrical components, if applicable. 
         [0075]    In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the support beam row  22   a  comprises a center beam member  24 , a first side beam member  46   a , and a second side beam member  46   b . The side beam member  46   a  is attached to the center beam member  24  via a hinge joint  60   a , and the side beam member  46   b  is attached to the center beam member  24  via a hinge joint  60   b . In this embodiment, display support  170   a  is attached to the side beam member  46   a , display supports  170   b , 170   c  are attached to the center beam member  24 , and display support  170   d  is attached to the side beam member  46   b . In alternate embodiments, a greater or lesser number of display supports could be attached to the center beam member and/or side beam members  46   a , 46   b  in the configuration shown in  FIG. 1 , according to the needs and desires of the user and the size and configuration of the displays that are to be attached to the display supports. 
         [0076]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  show the center beam member  24 . In this embodiment, the center beam member  24  comprises a first or front side  26 , a second or rear side  28 , a first end  30 , and a second end  32 . Attachment bracket mounting holes  34   a - 34   d  are located in the center beam member  24  and are used to attach the center beam member  24  to the attachment bracket  20 , which acts to clamp the center beam member  24  to the column  18 , as best seen in  FIG. 22 . Beam extension mounting holes  36   a - 36   h  are located at the ends  30 , 32  of the center beam member  24 , which permit the center beam member  24  to be attached to other parts of the device  10 , as will be further described below in detail. 
         [0077]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  show the side beam member  46   a . It should be understood that the side beam member  46   b  is identical to the side beam member  46   a , and that discussion in this application with respect to side beam member  46   a  is equally applicable to side beam member  46   b . In this embodiment, the side beam member  46   a  comprises a first or front side  48 , a second or rear side  50 , a first end  52 , and a second end  54 . Beam extension mounting holes  56   a - 56   h  are located at the ends  52 , 54  of the side beam member  46   a , which permit the side beam member  46   a  to be attached to other parts of the device  10 , as will be further described below in detail. 
         [0078]    In this embodiment, the center beam member  24  is of greater length than the side beam members  46   a , 46   b . In one embodiment, the center beam member  24  is 30 inches long and the side beam members  46   a , 46   b  are 20 inches long. In alternate embodiments, beam members of various lengths may be made available, so that the user can customize their multi-display device  10  according to their particular needs or desires. For example, beam members of 6 inch, 12 inch, 18 inch, 24 inch, 30 inch, 36 inch, 48 inch, 54 inch, 60 inch, and/or other lengths could be made available to the user. In alternate embodiments, the side beam member  46   a  could include mounting holes located in a center portion thereof, so that the side beam member  46   a  could be mounted at said center portion directly to, for example, the column  18 . 
         [0079]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the center beam member  24 , showing the cross-sectional profile  38  of the center beam member  24 . It should be understood that the side beam members  46   a , 46   b  have an identical cross-sectional profile—in both shape and dimensions—to the cross-sectional profile  38  of the center beam member  24 . The center beam member  24  has rails  40   a , 40   b  located on the front side  26  thereof that define respective slots  42   a , 42   b  and rails  40   c , 40   d  located on the rear side  28  thereof that define respective slots  42   c , 42   d . The center beam member  24  also includes tab attachment slots  44   a , 44   b  located through the first end  30  thereof. In this embodiment, the tab attachment slots  44   a , 44   b  extend the entire length of the center beam member  24  and extend through the second end  32 . In alternate embodiments, the tab attachment slots  44   a , 44   b  need not extend along the entire length of the center beam member  24 . The purpose of these slots  44   a , 44   b  will be described in further detail below. 
         [0080]    In this embodiment, the beam members  24 , 46   a , 46   b  are extruded from aluminum. In alternate embodiments, the beam members  24 , 46   a , 46   b  could be comprised of other suitable materials, for example other metals (e.g., steel), composites, or polymers, and could be formed via other methods, for example welding, stamping, pultruding, casting, or molding. 
         [0081]      FIG. 5  shows one embodiment of a hinge joint  60   b  in accordance with the present invention. It should be understood that hinge joint  60   b  is identical to hinge joint  60   a . The hinge joints  60   a , 60   b  permit a hinged connection between two beam members, for example center beam member  24  and side beam member  46   b , such that the user can change the angle between the two beam members according to their needs and desires. In this embodiment, the hinge joint  60   b  includes a hinge bracket  74  that forms the slot or female portion  72  of the hinge joint  60   b , a hinge eye  290  that forms the protruding or male portion  70  of the hinge joint  60   b , and a hinge pin  62  that connects the hinge eye  290  to the hinge bracket  74 . The hinge pin  62  forms an axis about which the hinge joint  60   b  can rotate (in this embodiment, the side beam member  46   b  is rotatable about the axis of the hinge pin  62 ). 
         [0082]    In this embodiment, the hinge joint  60   b  is assembled by joining the hinge bracket  74  to the end of the center beam member  24 , and by joining the hinge eye  290  to the end of the side beam member  46   b , and by then joining the hinge bracket  74  and hinge eye  290  together via hinge pin  62 . Hinge bracket  74  has a pair of mounting tabs  78   a , 78   b  located on a rear surface  76  of a rear portion  75  thereof. The rear portion  75  also includes a front surface  77 . The mounting tabs  78   a , 78   b  have threaded fastener passages  80   a , 80   b  respectively located therethrough. Mounting tabs  78   a , 78   b  are inserted into tab attachment slots  44   a , 44   b  located at the end of the center beam member  24 , and beam extension fasteners  58   a , 58   b  are passed through the beam extension mounting holes  36   c , 36   d  and into the threaded fastener passages  80   a , 80   b , thereby durably but removably attaching the hinge bracket  74  to the center beam member  24 . 
         [0083]    The hinge eye  290  has a pair of mounting tabs  292   a , 292   b  located on a rear surface  293  thereof. The mounting tabs  292   a , 292   b  have threaded fastener passages  295   a , 295   b  respectively located therethrough. Mounting tabs  292   a , 292   b  are inserted into tab attachment slots  44   a , 44   b  located at the end of the side beam member  46   b , and beam extension fasteners  45   a , 45   b  are passed through the beam extension mounting holes  56   a , 56   b  and into the threaded fastener passages  295   a , 295   b , thereby durably but removably attaching the hinge eye  290  to the side beam member  46   b.    
         [0084]    In this embodiment, the hinge pin  62  has a head  63 , a shaft  64 , a rotation lock  69  and a threaded fastener hole  68  and a pair of notches  66   a , 66   b  that are located at the bottom end of the shaft  64 . The hinge pin  62  is securely attached within the hinge joint  60   b  via a dog washer  92  and a fastener  96  that are located on the opposite side of the hinge joint  60   a  from the head  63  of the hinge pin  62 . The dog washer  92  has a disc portion  93  having a pair of tabs  94   a , 94   b  located thereon and a fastener hole  95  located therethrough. When the hinge joint  60   b  is assembled, the tabs  94   a , 94   b  each engage a respective one of the notches  66   a , 66   b  located at the bottom end of the shaft  64  of the hinge pin  62 , and the fastener  96  is passed through the fastener hole  95  located in the disc portion  93  of the dog washer  92  and securely engaged with the threaded fastener hole  68  located at the bottom end of the shaft  64  of the hinge pin  62 . 
         [0085]    The hinge bracket  74  has a top portion  81  that extends from the rear portion  75  and includes a coupling  85  and a bottom portion  83  that extends from the rear portion  75  and includes a coupling  86 . In this embodiment, the coupling  85  has a cross-sectional shape that is approximately that of an uppercase “D,” and engages with the complementary-shaped rotation lock  69  of the hinge pin  62  in order to prevent the hinge pin  62  from rotating once installed. The hinge eye  290  has a coupling  296  into which is fitted a pair of bushings  88   a , 88   b . Each bushing has a flat portion  89  that rests against an exterior surface of the hinge eye  290 , and a tubiform portion  90  that fits within the coupling  296 . In this embodiment the bushings  88   a , 88   b  are comprised of acetal, but in alternate embodiments bushings of other materials are suitable, including nylon, vinyl, plastics, or rubber. The bushings  88   a , 88   b  prevent direct contact between the hinge pin  62  and the couplings  85 , 86 , 296 . 
         [0086]    Because the hinge eye  290  in this embodiment is used to support the side beam members  46   a , 46   b  of the support beam row  22   a , it is desirable to prevent sagging in this hinge joint  60   b . Thus, friction may be added to the hinge joint  60   b  by tightening or loosening a set screw  299  within a set screw hole  297  in the hinge eye  290  in order to vary the amount of friction that is placed on the hinge pin  62  via interaction with the coupling  88   a . Additionally, because the hinge pin  62  is rotationally fixed via the rotation lock  69 , the side beam member  46   b  is able to rotate about the hinge pin  62  while the hinge pin  62  remains in a fixed rotational position. 
         [0087]    In some embodiments, the thickness of the rear portion  75  of the hinge bracket  74 , as measured between the rear surface  76  and the front surface  77  between the top portion  81  and the bottom portion  83 , may be slightly tapered, for example by approximately 1.5 degrees, so that when weight is applied to the hinge bracket  74  via an attached side beam member  46   a , 46   b  and/or additional components, the hinge bracket  74  and attached components become level with the center beam member  24  due to the attached load. In other words, the tapering of the hinge bracket  74  prevents the side beam member  46   a , 46   b  from appearing to sag relative to the center beam member  24  once weight is loaded onto the side beam member  46   a , 46   b.    
         [0088]    An alternate embodiment of a hinge joint  1060  is shown in  FIG. 6 . In this embodiment, the hinge bracket  74  of the embodiment of  FIG. 5  forms the slot portion  72  of the hinge joint  1060 , and a pair of arm mount cups  1098   a , 1098   b  collectively form the protruding portion  70  of the hinge joint  1060 . The arm mount cups  1098   a , 1098   b  are joined together via a pair of vertically-oriented bolts  150  (only one bolt  150  is shown in  FIG. 6 ). The side member  46   a  is free to rotate about the hinge pin  1062 . An additional alternate embodiment of a hinge joint  2060  is shown in  FIG. 7 . In this embodiment, the slot or female portion  72  of the hinge joint  2060  is formed by a first pair of arm mount cups  1098   c , 1098   d  that have been reoriented such that collectively they have a cross-sectional shape that approximates three sides of a rectangle and fixed together via a pair of vertical bolts (not shown) that are each passed through a bolt hole  119  of the respective arm mount cup, and the male or protruding portion  70  of the hinge joint  2060  is formed by a second pair of arm mount cups  1098   a , 1098   b  that have been joined together like in the embodiment of  FIG. 6 . The attached beam members are thus free to rotate about the hinge pin  2062 . It should be understood that each of the arm mount cups  1098   a - 1098   d  are identical in this embodiment. The shape and design of the arm mount cups  1098   a - 1098   d  permit them to be joined with additional, identical arm mount cups and additional components in a variety of different configurations in order to permit the arm mount cup to serve as all or portion of a display support, beam row support, and/or hinge joint. 
         [0089]      FIGS. 8A-8C  show various views of one embodiment of an arm mount cup  98   a . The arm mount cup  98   a  has a cross-sectional shape that approximates an uppercase letter “L,” or two adjacent sides of a rectangle, and is comprised of a first linear portion  114   a  and a second linear portion  116   a . The rear surface  112   a  of the arm mount cup  98   a  includes the mounting tab  100   a , which has a threaded fastener passage  102   a  located therethrough. A coupling  118   a  passes through the second linear portion  116   a  of the arm mount cup  98   a.    
         [0090]      FIG. 9  shows a rear perspective view of an alternate embodiment of an arm mount cup  2098 . This embodiment of the arm mount cup  2098  has a pair of studs  2099   a , 2099   b  located on the rear surface thereof, and is designed for higher-load applications. As noted above, the components of the system of the present invention may be made from different materials, some of which are more capable than others of handling high-weight loads. Thus, as discussed below in further detail, the studs  2099   a , 2099   b  of the arm mount cup  2098  serve to prevent it from being used with other components of the system that are not also designed for such high-weight loads. 
         [0091]      FIG. 10  shows a partial exploded view of a rigid joint  120 , wherein two beam members (e.g., beam members  24 ,  46   a ) are securely but releasably attached together in an unhinged, linear manner. Where a user desires to construct or extend a straight work rail and make it such that the beam members  24 , 46   a  may not be angled with respect to each other, they may join the beam members  24 , 46   a  together in the manner shown in  FIG. 10 . This modularity permits the user to extend the length of an existing support beam row by adding an additional beam member to the end of an existing beam member (see, e.g., the device  2010  of  FIG. 39 ). 
         [0092]    As shown in  FIG. 10 , the end of the center beam member  24  includes the tab attachment slots  44   a , 44   b . In order to form the rigid joint  120 , a pair of beam extension tabs  122   a , 122   b  are inserted into the tab attachment slots  44   a , 44   b  located on each of the beam members  24 , 46   a . The beam extension tab  122   a  has threaded fastener holes  124   a , 124   c  located therein, and the beam extension tab  122   b  has threaded fastener holes  124   b , 124   d  located therein. Threaded fastener hole  124   a  is aligned with beam extension mounting hole  36   e  and beam extension fastener  45   a  is passed through beam extension mounting hole  36   e  and securely connected to threaded fastener hole  124   a . Threaded fastener hole  124   b  is aligned with beam extension mounting hole  36   f  and beam extension fastener  45   b  is passed through beam extension mounting hole  36   f  and securely connected to threaded fastener hole  124   b . Threaded fastener hole  124   c  is aligned with beam extension mounting hole  56   g  and beam extension fastener  58   a  is passed through beam extension mounting hole  56   g  and securely connected to threaded fastener hole  124   c . Threaded fastener hole  124   d  is aligned with beam extension mounting hole  56   h  and beam extension fastener  58   b  is passed through beam extension mounting hole  56   h  and securely connected to threaded fastener hole  124   d . In this way, the beam members  24 , 46   a  are securely but removably attached together to form rigid joint  120 . 
         [0093]      FIGS. 16A and 16B  show a beam end cover  142  that can be removably attached to one of the ends of a beam member (e.g., first end  30  of center beam member  24 ) in order to provide an aesthetically-pleasing appearance to one or both ends of a support beam row  22   a . The beam end cover  142  has a front side  143 , a rear side  144 , and a pair of connection members  146   a , 146   b  extending from the rear side  144 . The rear side  144  includes wrench holes  145   a , 145   b  for accommodating the storage of Allen wrenches  147   a , 147   b  within the beam end cover  142  and the end  30  of the center beam member  24 . The Allen wrenches, which are used to make adjustments to various components of the system, are thus conveniently stored within the device  10 , yet obscured from view during ordinary use. The connection member  146   a  fits into the upper and lower slots located on the first side of the beam member (e.g., slots  42   a , 42   b  located on the first side  26  of the center beam member  24 ), and the connection member  146   b  fits into the upper and lower slots located on the second side of the beam member (e.g., slots  42   c , 42   d  located on the second side  28  of the center beam member  24 ). 
         [0094]      FIG. 11  shows a pole mount bracket  126  attached to an end of beam member  24 . Pole mount bracket includes a coupling portion  128  that securely but releasably engages a support pole  140  and a mounting portion  130  that attaches to the beam member  24 . As seen in  FIG. 12 , the coupling portion  128  includes a gap  129  that is narrowed or widened via a fastener  138  that is secured between fastener passages  136 , 137 . The pole mount bracket  126  includes a mounting tab  132   a  having threaded fastener passage  134   a  and a mounting tab  132   b  having threaded fastener passage  134   b . Mounting tabs  132   a , 132   b  are used to attach the pole mount bracket  126  to the end of the beam member  24  in an identical fashion to how hinge bracket  74  is attached to the end of the beam member  24 , which is explained in detail above and incorporated by reference into this paragraph as if set forth again in its entirety. 
         [0095]      FIG. 12  shows how the pole mount bracket  126  is mounted to the front side  26  of the center beam member  24 . It should be understood that the following description is equally applicable to either of the front side or rear side of any of the beam members discussed herein, and also equally applicable to the arm mount cups  98   a , 98   b , which include mounting tabs  100   a , 100   b  that are identical to the mounting tabs  132   a , 132   b  located on the pole mount bracket  126 . In this embodiment, the pole mount bracket  126  is attached to a pair of rail mounting brackets  148   a , 148   b , which are fitted together on the front side  26  of the center beam member  24 . As shown in  FIG. 17C , the rail mounting bracket  148   b  may be attached to the arm mount cup  98   b  via fastener  150   b  and fitted into the slot  42   b , and then the rail mounting bracket  148   a , which has been attached to the arm mount cup  98   a  via fastener  150   a , may be slid into engagement with the rail mounting bracket  148   b  and fitted within the slot  42   a . Mounting tab  100   a  is inserted into tab attachment slot  160   a  located through rail mounting bracket  148   a  and secured in place via fastener  150   a  that is routed through fastener passage  158   b , threaded fastener passage  102   a , and fastener passage  162   a , and mounting tab  100   b  is inserted into tab attachment slot  160   b  located through rail mounting bracket  148   b  and secured in place via fastener  150   b  that is routed through fastener passage  158   a , threaded fastener passage  102   b , and fastener passage  162   b.    
         [0096]      FIGS. 13A and 13   b  show one embodiment of a pole mount cup  304 , which has a hole  305  that is aligned with a threaded fastener hole  309  across a gap  310 . The pole mount cup  304  also includes a coupling  312  for receipt of a pole  140 . A fastener (not shown) is passed through hole  305  and into threaded fastener hole  309 , and the fastener is tightened, thereby reducing the size of the gap  310  and tightening the pole mount cup  304  against the pole  140 . The pole mount cup  304  also includes a mounting tab  314  that includes a threaded fastener hole  316 . The mounting tab  314  and threaded fastener hole  316  of the pole mount cup  304  is identical to those of the other components discussed above; thus the pole mount cup  304  may be used interchangeably in the present system. As shown in  FIG. 13B , this embodiment of the pole mount cup  304  includes a pair of studs  318   a , 318   b  to prevent it from being used with lower-duty rail mounting brackets  148   a , 148   b , as discussed above. In alternate embodiments of the pole mount cup  304  that are designed for lower-load applications, the studs  318   a , 318   b  may be omitted. 
         [0097]      FIG. 14  shows a center beam member  24  attached to a pair of the pole mount cups  304   a , 304   b  of  FIGS. 13A and 13B , which are attached to a pole  140 . A pair of pole mount bushings  320   a , 320   b  are used to prevent metal-on-metal contact between the pole  140  and the pole mount cups  304   a , 304   b . As shown in  FIG. 15 , the pole mount coupling  320  is a split coupling comprising a split  322 . 
         [0098]      FIGS. 20A-20C  show various views of a rail mounting bracket  148 , which should be understood to be identical to rail mounting brackets  148   a , 148   b . The rail mounting bracket  148  has a profile  152  that approximates an uppercase letter “P,” a slot engagement portion  154  that is sized and shaped to fit within a slot of a beam member (e.g., slot  42   a  of the beam member  24 ), a rail engagement portion  156  that is sized and shaped to engage a rail of a beam member (e.g., rail  40   a  of the beam member  24 ), a tab attachment slot  160  through the body thereof, a pair of aligned fastener passages  158 , 162  in the body thereof, a bottom surface  164  (approximately corresponding with the base of the “P” profile), a cutout side surface  167 , and a cutout bottom surface  166  (approximately corresponding with the bottom side of the circular/rectangular portion of the “P” profile). A fastener is inserted through the fastener passage  158 , extends through the tab attachment slot  160 , and is secured within the fastener passage  162 . 
         [0099]      FIG. 21  shows an alternate embodiment of a rail mounting bracket  330 . This embodiment of the rail mounting bracket is designed for heavier-duty applications, as discussed above, and comprises a pair of stud holes  332   a , 332   b  for accommodating, e.g., the studs  318   a , 318   b  of the pole mount cup  304 . The stud holes  332   a , 332   b  ensure that the heavier-duty rail mounting bracket  330  is used when the heavier-duty additional components are being utilized. The stud holes  332   a , 332   b  of the rail mounting bracket  330  will not prevent us thereof with light duty accessories that lack studs. 
         [0100]    As shown in  FIGS. 17A-18 , the arm mount cups  98   a , 98   b  may be secured to the rail mounting brackets  148   a , 148   b  and used to support a tilter  172  therefrom, thereby forming a display support  170  for supporting a display therefrom that is connectable to either side of a beam member (e.g., front side  26  of center beam member  24 ). In alternate embodiments according to the present invention, the arm mount cups  98   a , 98   b  can be directly connected to one of the ends of a beam member (e.g., first end  30  of center beam member  24 ) in the same fashion as described above with respect to the connections of the hinge joint  60   a , and can thereby form a display support  170  that extends from said end of said beam member. 
         [0101]    As seen in  FIG. 18 , the tilter  172  includes an adapter plate  180  that is used to attach a display to the tilter  172  and a tilter shaft  176  including a pair of notches  178   a , 178   b  and a threaded fastener hole  179  located at the bottom end thereof. Each of the notches  178   a , 178   b  is sized and shaped to engage with either of the tabs  94   a , 94   b  located on the dog washer  92 , and the fastener  96  is passed through the fastener hole  95  located in the dog washer  92  and securely but removably attached to the threaded fastener hole  179  located in the bottom end of the tilter shaft  176  in order to fully assemble the display support  170 . Bushing  88   a  is inserted into coupling  118   a  and bushing  88   b  is inserted into coupling  118   b , and the bushings  88   a , 88   b  prevent the tilter shaft  176  from directly contacting the couplings  118   a , 118   b.    
         [0102]    Referring now to  FIGS. 22-30 , several embodiments of the connection between the beam member  24  and the column  18  (which in some embodiments is a height-adjustable lift column) will be described in detail. In  FIG. 22 , the center beam member  24  is shown attached to the column  18  via the attachment bracket  20 . Specifically, each of a plurality of bracket fasteners  222   a - 222   d  is passed through a respective one of the attachment bracket mounting holes  34   a - 34   d  located in the center beam member  24  and connected to a respective bracket fastener hole  220   a - 220   d  located in the attachment bracket  20 , thereby securely clamping the attachment bracket  20  and center beam member  24  (which forms part of a support beam row  22   a ) to the column  18 . In this embodiment, a column cover  218  is located over the top end of the column  18  for aesthetic purposes. The attachment bracket  20  comprises a pair of cable routers  21   a , 21   b  through which device cables may be routed. In this embodiment, the cable routers are each rotatedly connected to the attachment bracket  20  via a respective pin  23   a , 23   b.    
         [0103]    In the embodiment of  FIG. 22 , the beam member  24  is attached to an inner extrusion  242 , which comprises the column  18 . Because the inner extrusion  242  is of a smaller cross-sectional area than the outer extrusion  226 , a column spacer  223  is used to fill the remaining space in the opening of the attachment bracket  20 . If the beam member is being attached to a column  18  that includes an outer extrusion  226 , the column spacer  223  would be omitted from the attachment bracket  20 . 
         [0104]      FIG. 23  shows another embodiment of a multi-display device  1010  in accordance with the present invention. In this embodiment the column  18  is comprised of a pair of inner extrusions  242   a , 242   b  that are fixedly joined together via a joiner  334 . As shown in  FIG. 24 , the joiner  334  comprises a rigid tubular piece comprising four pairs of vertically-aligned mounting holes (for convenience, only mounting holes  336   a , 336   b  are labeled in  FIG. 24 ) that is inserted within each of the inner extrusions  242   a , 242   b . The inner extrusions  242   a , 242   b  are joined together by passing a bolt  339  through a hole  338  located in the inner extrusion  242   a  and into the mounting hole  336   a  and by passing a bolt  341  through a hole  340  located in the inner extrusion  242   b  and into the mounting hole  336   b . This process is repeated for the other three sets of mounting holes of the joiner and inner extrusions  242   a , 242   b.    
         [0105]    By joining the inner extrusions  242   a , 242   b  together, a longer-length column  18  is created. In the embodiment of  FIG. 22 , a fixed-height device  1010  having a pair of support beam rows  22   a , 22   b  is shown. Any number of support beam rows  22   a , 22   b  could be added to a properly-supported column  18 , as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art. 
         [0106]      FIGS. 25-29  show views of an embodiment of a lift column  224  that is powered by an actuator  246  that is located within the body thereof. In this embodiment, the lift column  224  is operable via a 3-position rocker switch  272  that may be switched into any of “UP,” “DOWN,” and “OFF” positions. Thus, the lift column  224  is used in order to change the operable height of any support beam row  22   a  that is attached thereto. The height of the lift column  224  may be adjusted in order to, for example, make fine adjustments of the height of the support beam row  22   a  based on the needs or desires of a user, to allow the height of the support beam row  22   a  to be changed for use by different users of a single workstation, or to allow the support beam row  22   a  to be used as a portion of a sit/stand workstation configuration. 
         [0107]    In this embodiment, the lift column  224  comprises the base plate  12  that is used to connect the device to the support surface (see  FIG. 23 ), the inner extrusion  242  that extends from the base plate  12 , and an outer extrusion  226  to which the attachment bracket  20  is attached. A portion of the outer surface of the inner extrusion  242  is covered by a plurality of extrusion covers  240 , which serve an aesthetic purpose by covering the inner extrusion  242  from view as the position of the outer extrusion  226  is adjusted such that it does not cover the entire inner extrusion  242 . 
         [0108]    A top block  232  is securely fixed at a top end of the outer extrusion  226  via a plurality of fasteners  230   a - 230   d  (for convenience, only fastener  230   a  labeled in  FIG. 26 ), each of which is passed through a respective one of the top block mounting holes  228   a - 228   d  (for convenience, only top block mounting hole  228   a  is labeled in  FIG. 26 ) located in the outer extrusion  226  and secured into a respective one of the fastener holes  238   a - 238   d  (for convenience, only fastener hole  238   a  labeled in  FIG. 27 ) located in an outer surface  235  of the top block  232 . The top block  232  is sized and shaped so that its outer surface  235  sits snugly against the inner surfaces of the outer extrusion  226 . The top block  232  has a top surface  233  and a bottom surface  234  that includes a cutout region  237 . A cap  225  may be used to cover the top end of the outer extrusion  226 . 
         [0109]    The lift column  224  further comprises an actuator  246  having a body  248  and a rod  250  that extends from and retracts within the body  248 . An upper end  252  of the actuator  246  is attached to a converter  254  that comprises a disc portion  256  and a tab portion  258  having a mounting hole  260 . The converter  254  attaches via a pin  262  through the mounting hole  260  located in the tab portion  258 , and the pin  262  is secured in place via a pair of retaining clips  264   a , 264   b . The disc portion  256  of the converter  254  has an upper side  257  that mates within the cutout region  237  of the top block  232 . As the actuator rod  250  moves up and down, the disc portion  256  of the converter  254  moves the top block  232  and the attached outer extrusion  226  (along with any attached support beam row  22   a ). 
         [0110]    The actuator  246  also comprises a lower end  266  that is attached to the inner extrusion  242  via a pin  268  that passes through the inner extrusion  242  and is retained in place via a pair of retaining clips  270   a , 270   b  (see  FIG. 28 ). As noted above, the inner extrusion is fixedly attached to the base plate  12 ; thus, the position of the lower end  266  of the actuator  246  is also fixed in place within the lift column  224 . As seen in  FIG. 28 , the bottom end of the inner extrusion  242  has a cable slot  244  therein so that wires running to the actuator  246  can pass out of the lift column  224 . 
         [0111]    The wiring of the rocker switch  272  is shown in  FIGS. 28 and 29 . The rocker switch  272  is attached to a pair of jacks  273   a , 273   b , which respectively provide power and drive means to the actuator  264 . Jacks  273   a , 273   b  are each secured to the base plate cover  16  via a respective jack nut  274   a , 274   b . In this embodiment, six wire connectors (for convenience, only wire connector  275   a  is labeled in  FIG. 29 ) attach to the rocker switch  272 , and six wires  276   a - f  connect the wire connectors together and to the jacks  273   a , 273   b , as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. 
         [0112]    An alternate embodiment of a lift column  1224  is shown in  FIG. 30 . In this embodiment, the outer extrusion  1226  is of double height, such that the top block  232  connects to the middle of the outer extrusion  1226 , not to the top thereof. This embodiment is otherwise identical to the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 25-29 . This outer extrusion  1226  of increased length permits for more support beam rows  22   a  to be provided on the lift column  1224 . 
         [0113]      FIGS. 31A-36  show two alternate embodiments of device height-adjustment assemblies  190 ,  290  that permit for fine height adjustment of the attached display as portion of a display support  170 . In some instances, it may be desirable to adjust the height of adjacent displays such that, for example, their upper surfaces or centerlines are horizontally aligned. This is particularly an issue where displays of different weights or dimensions are used within a single support beam row  22   a . The device height-adjustment assemblies  190 ,  290  described herein address these issues. 
         [0114]    In the embodiment of the display support  170  shown in  FIGS. 31A-33 , the display support  170  comprises a tilter  172  having a rotating plate  174  which includes a plurality of mounting holes  175   a - 175   d  located thereon. The rotating plate  174  permits rotation of an attached display about an axis that extends through the centers of the adjustment enclosure  192  and adapter plate  180 . In alternate embodiments where it is desirable not to permit the attached displays to rotate about an axis that extends through the centers of the adjustment enclosure  192  and adapter plate  180 , the rotating plate  174  may be omitted, and the adjustment enclosure  192  may be attached directly to the body of the tilter  172 . 
         [0115]    The device height-adjustment assembly  190  of this embodiment comprises an adjustment enclosure  192  having a plurality of tilter mounting holes  194   a - 194   d , a pair of height adjustment screw holes  196   a , 196   b , and a slot  214 . The tilter mounting holes  194   a - 194   d  are used to connect the adjustment enclosure  192  to the mounting holes  175   a - 175   d  located in the rotating plate  174  of the tilter  172  via fasteners (not shown). An adapter plate mounting block or clevis block  206  is located within the adjustment enclosure  192  and is held in place via a height-adjustment screw  200  and an alignment bolt  215 , which attaches through an alignment tab  213  in the clevis block  206  and is held in place by a bolt retaining ring  216 . The alignment bolt  215  is free to move within the slot  214 , and acts to prevent the clevis block  206  from rotating about the height-adjustment screw  200  as it is turned, thereby assuring that the clevis block  206  performs its intended height-adjustment function, as further described below. 
         [0116]    The height-adjustment screw  200  has a head  201  and a threaded shaft  202 . The head  201  extends outside of the adjustment enclosure  192 , and the threaded shaft  202  extends through the height-adjustment screw hole  196   a , through a threaded passage  208  located in the clevis block  206 , and through the height-adjustment screw hole  196   b , where it is fixedly secured outside of the adjustment enclosure  192  in place via a retaining clip  199 . Because the height-adjustment screw  200  and clevis block  206  are captive within the adjustment enclosure  198 , as the height-adjustment screw  200  is rotated via its head  201 , the clevis block  206  moves upwardly and downwardly along the length of the height-adjustment screw  200 . 
         [0117]    An adapter plate  180  is attached to a plurality of adapter plate fastener holes  212   a - 212   d  located in the clevis block  206  by passing a respective one of a plurality of adapter plate fasteners  186   a - 186   d  through each of a respective one of a plurality of plate attachment holes  184   a - 184   d  located through the adapter plate  180  and engaging the respective one of the adapter plate fasteners  186   a - 186   d  with a respective one of the adapter plate fastener holes  212   a - 212   d . In this embodiment, the adapter plate  180  further includes a first set of mounting holes  182   a - 182   d  and a second set of mounting holes  183   a - 183   d , which are arranged according to, respectively, VESA-compliant 75 mm and 100 mm square hole patterns. In alternate embodiments, the adapter plate  180  need not include both sets of mounting holes, could include additional sets of mounting holes, or could include mounting holes according to some other hole pattern. In order to attach a display to the adapter plate  180 , the display is placed adjacent to a front side  181  of the adapter plate and a plurality of display fasteners  185   a - 185   d  are routed through either the first set of mounting holes  182   a - 182   d  or the second set of mounting holes  183   a - 183   d  and are secured into the display. Because the adapter plate  180  is attached to the clevis block  206 , a height adjustment of the clevis block  206  alters the height of the display that is attached to the adapter plate  180 . In this way, fine height adjustability of the display is possible. 
         [0118]    In another embodiment of the display support  170 , shown in  FIGS. 34-36 , the device height-adjustment assembly  290  of this embodiment comprises an adjustment enclosure  292  having a plurality of tilter mounting holes  294   a - 294   d , a pair of height-adjustment screw holes  296   a , 296   b , and a pair of clevis block rails  293   a , 293   b . The tilter mounting holes  294   a - 294   d  are used to connect the adjustment enclosure  292  to the mounting holes  175   a - 175   d  located in the rotating plate  174  of the tilter  172  via fasteners (partially shown but not labeled in  FIG. 34 ). An adapter plate mounting block or clevis block  306  is located within the adjustment enclosure  292  and held in place via height-adjustment screw  300  and the interaction of each of a pair of clevis block slots  307   a , 307   b  of the clevis block with a respective one of the clevis block rails  293   a , 293   b . The interaction of the clevis block slots  307   a , 307   b  with the clevis block rails  293   a , 293   b  prevents the clevis block  306  from rotating about the height-adjustment screw  300  as it is turned, thereby assuring that the clevis block  306  performs its intended height-adjustment function, as further described below. 
         [0119]    The height-adjustment screw  300  has a head  301  and a threaded shaft  302 . The head  301  extends outside of the adjustment enclosure  292 , and the threaded shaft  302  extends through the height-adjustment screw hole  296   a , through a threaded passage  308  located through the clevis block  306 , and through the height-adjustment screw hole  296   b , where it is fixedly secured outside of the adjustment enclosure  292  in place via a lock washer or pin (not shown). Because the height-adjustment screw  300  and clevis block  306  are captive within the adjustment enclosure  298 , as the height-adjustment screw  300  is rotated via its head  301 , the clevis block  306  moves upwardly and downwardly along the length of the height-adjustment screw  300 . The adapter plate  180  is attached to a plurality of adapter plate fastener holes  312   a - 312   d  located in the clevis block  306  by passing a respective one of a plurality of adapter plate fasteners  186   a - 286   d  through each of a respective one of a plurality of plate attachment holes  284   a - 284   d  located through the adapter plate  180  and engaging the respective one of the adapter plate fasteners  186   a - 186   d  with a respective one of the adapter plate fastener holes  312   a - 312   d . Because the adapter plate  180  is attached to the clevis block  306 , a height adjustment of the clevis block  306  alters the height of a display that is attached to the adapter plate. In this way, fine height adjustability of the display is possible. 
         [0120]      FIGS. 37-38B  show a cable router  350  for attachment to either of the front or rear side of one of the beam members. In  FIG. 37 , the cable router  350  is shown attached to the rear side  50  of a side beam member  46   b . The cable router  350  permits device cables to be routed approximately along the front or rear side of a support beam row  22   a  without sagging or coming into contact with other objects. In this embodiment, the cable router  350  has a front side  352 , a rear side  354 , a slot  360  into which device cables are placed, a pair of ramped portions  362   a , 362   b , and a pair of tabs  364   a , 364   b . To install the cable router  350  on beam member  46   b , the cable router  350  is inserted into the rear side  50  of the beam member  46   b  in a position that is approximately 90 degrees counter-clockwise from the position shown in  FIG. 37 , and then the cable router  350  is rotated in a clockwise direction until the ramped portions  362   a , 362   b  ride along the rails  40   c , 40   d  of the beam member and the tabs  364   a , 364   b  lock behind the rails  40   c , 40   d , thereby fixing the cable router  350  in position. 
         [0121]      FIGS. 39-42  show various different configurations of a multi-display device that are possible using the parts of the present invention described above. These examples are not intended to be exhaustive, but in fact only show a small percentage of all of the configurations of a multi-display device that are possible within the scope of the present invention. In fact, Applicant appreciates that an infinite number of configurations are possible within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0122]      FIG. 39  shows an embodiment of a multi-display device  2010  according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the device  2010  comprises a first pair of center beam members  24   a , 24   b  which are attached together via a rigid joint  120   a  and a second pair of center beam members  24   a , 24   b  which are attached together via a rigid joint  120   b  which are supported from the support surface via three support poles  140   a - 140   c . In this embodiment, a first pole mount bracket  126   a  is attached at one end of the support beam row  22   a  and attaches to support pole  140   a , a second pole mount bracket  126   d  is attached at the other end of the support beam row  22   a  and attaches to support pole  140   c , and a pair of additional pole mount brackets  126   b , 126   c  attach center beam members  24   b , 24   c  together to form a bend at support pole  140   b . In this embodiment, five display supports  170   a - 170   e  are attached to the support beam row  22   a  and support, respectively, displays  2   a - 2   e . Display support  170   c  is connected to the center beam member  24   b  via a forearm  280 . 
         [0123]      FIG. 40  shows another embodiment of a multi-display device  4010  according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the device  4010  comprises a first support beam row  22   a  comprising a center beam member  24   a  and a second support beam row  22   b  comprising a center beam member  24   b  and a pair of side beam members  46   a , 46   b  which are attached to the center beam member  24   b  via a pair of joints  302   a , 302   b . The support beam rows  22   a , 22   b  are supported from the support surface via a pair of support poles  140   a , 140   b  that are attached to the rear sides  28   a , 28   b  of the center beam members  24   a , 24   b  via pole mount brackets  126   a - 126   d . The device  4010  comprises six display supports  170   a - 170   f . As shown in the close-up view of  FIG. 41 , the joint  302   a —which is identical to joint  302   b —is comprised of four pole mount cups  304   a - 304   d  and four pole mount bushings  320   a - 320   d.    
         [0124]      FIG. 42  shows another embodiment of a multi-display device  5010  according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the device  5010  comprises a support beam row  22   a  comprising a center beam member  24  and a pair of side beam members  46   a , 46   b  which are attached to the center beam member  24  via a pair of hinge joints  60   a , 60   b . In this embodiment, the support beam row  22   a  is directly attached to a vertical surface  5  (e.g., a wall, cubicle panel, etc.) via a plurality of fasteners  288   a - 288   d , which are routed through the mounting holes  34   a - 34   d  which are located through the center beam member  24 . The fasteners  288   a - 288   d  may be screws, bolts, lags, or any other suitable type of fastener, according to what is required under the circumstances in order to securely mount the support beam row  22   a  to the vertical surface  5 . In this embodiment, four display supports  170   a - 170   d  are provided. Display supports  170   b , 170   c  are attached to the front side (not labeled) of the center beam member  24 , display support  170   a  is attached to the front side (not labeled) of the side beam member  46   a , and display support  170   d  is attached to the front side (not labeled) of the side beam member  46   b . In alternate embodiments, one or more support beam rows, which can each include or exclude hinge joints, may be attached directly to the vertical surface  5  in order to create a video board. 
         [0125]    Although exemplary implementations of the herein described systems and methods have been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many additional modifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the herein described systems and methods. Accordingly, these and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the herein described systems and methods. The herein described systems and methods may be better defined by the following exemplary claims.