Abstract:
A method of assembling a bracket from a plurality of components adapted for mounting a device for a supporting surface. A plurality of components are provided which can be assembled into a plurality of brackets each of a different configuration. At least one of the components includes a shaft holder having an opening formed therein adapted to movably support the device. At least one of the brackets can be assembled from less than all of the components. The brackets are formed by assembling a plurality of the components including at least the shaft holder.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application is a divisional of application Ser. No. 09/406,531 filed on Sep. 27, 1999 which application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/106,729 filed Nov. 2, 1998 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/108,469 filed Nov. 14, 1998, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to apparatuses and systems for mounting an adjustable arm for a peripheral device such as a computer display screen, a keyboard, a telephone or the like. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Apparatuses and configurable mounting systems for mounting an arm device are disclosed. The arm device may be attached to a peripheral device, which may be an electronic device such as a computer display screen, a keyboard, a telephone or the like. 
   The systems comprise a set of components which may be configured to create apparatuses including a clamp mount, a wall mount, a “reverse” wall mount, or table or “flat” mount. In addition, the systems may comprise components which may be configured to create a panel mount and a slat wall mount. The mounting systems have many benefits and advantages to the consumer, distributor and manufacturer. The consumer obtains more than one different mounting option for the price of a single mount. Previously, the consumer was required to choose the type of mount which she desired at the time of purchase of the arm. The systems also provide flexibility of providing a different mounting configuration in the future, if the consumer decides to move the arm or reconfigure the mount. A distributor of the mounting systems benefits by being relieved from maintaining an inventory of each of the different types of mounts. Also, the mounting systems may be efficiently packaged since the component elements are preferably no wider than the width of a typical arm apparatus. There are several advantages to the manufacturer including a decrease in inventory costs similar to that of the distributor, a lowering of the “piece” price of the mount since components of the systems may be used in a number of configurations and distinct castings are not required for each type of mount, and a decrease in labor costs since the consumer completes final assembly in the configuration she desires. 
   The components of the mounting systems include a shaft holder for receiving the shaft of the arm device, a long “L” member, and short “L” member, a clamping plate, and clamping screw. In a preferred embodiment, these components are used in conjunction with standard hardware including a long bolt with a hex head, a short screw, a pair of screws having flat tapered countersunk heads, a pair of wall screws, and a single nut. With these components and hardware, at least four of the above-noted mounting configurations may be achieved by the mounting systems of the present invention. 
   In another aspect, the configurable mount invention additionally comprises adapter brackets that are used to secure the mount to conventional office panel systems and both single and dual slot wall systems. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of the specification, illustrate the embodiments of the present invention and, together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
     In the drawings: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an apparatus according to the present invention in a reverse wall mount configuration and the orientation of the arm device to the mount; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an apparatus according to the present invention in a clamp configuration mounted to a table top; 
       FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of a clamp configuration of the present invention; 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an apparatus according to the present invention in a wall mount configuration mounted to a wall; 
       FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of a wall mount configuration of the present invention; 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an apparatus according to the present invention in a reverse wall mount configuration mounted to a wall; 
       FIG. 7  is an exploded perspective view of a reverse wall mount configuration of the present invention; 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an apparatus according to the present invention in a table mount configuration mounted to a table top; 
       FIG. 9  is an exploded view of a table mount configuration of the present invention; 
       FIG. 10A  is a top elevation view of a shaft holder according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 10B  is a cross-section side elevation view of the shaft holder shown in  FIG. 10A  along line  10 B— 10 B; 
       FIG. 11A  is a top elevation view of a clamping plate according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 11B  is a side elevation view of the clamping plate shown in  FIG. 11A ; 
       FIG. 12A  is a front elevation view of a long “L” member according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 12B  is a side elevation of the long “L” member shown in  FIG. 12A ; 
       FIG. 12C  is a top elevation view of the long “L” member shown in  FIG. 12A ; 
       FIG. 13A  is a front elevation view of a short “L” member according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 13B  is a side elevation of the short “L” member shown in  FIG. 13A ; 
       FIG. 13C  is a top elevation view of the short “L” member shown in  FIG. 13A ; 
       FIG. 14  is an exploded view of a mount configuration of the present invention with an adapter bracket to secure the mount to a office panel wall system; 
       FIG. 15  is a perspective view of the panel wall mount configuration; 
       FIG. 16  is an exploded view of a mount configuration of the present invention with an adapter bracket arrangement to secure the mount to a slatwall having an upwardly facing slat; 
       FIG. 17  is an exploded view of a mount configuration of the present invention with an adapter bracket arrangement to secure the mount to a slatwall having upwardly and downwardly facing slats; 
       FIG. 18  is an exploded perspective view of a narrow clamp configuration of the present invention; 
       FIG. 19  is a side elevation view of the narrow short “L” member and the narrow clamping plate of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   In describing a preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, in which like numerals represent like parts, specific terminology will be used for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose. 
   With reference to the drawings, in general, and  FIGS. 1 through 19  in particular, the apparatuses and systems of the present invention are disclosed. 
   Reference is made to  FIGS. 1 ,  3 ,  5 ,  7 ,  9 ,  10 A and  10 B which illustrate mounting apparatuses  84 ,  82 ,  80 ,  86  for mounting a device  10  having an arm  18  on a surface  2 ,  4 . Each apparatus includes a shaft holder  20  that has plurality of walls  22 . It is anticipated that the plurality of walls  22  can merge to embody a shaft holder  20  that is circular. The walls  22  define a receptacle  24  having an enclosed bottom  26  and an opened top portion. The receptacle  24  is shaped to receive an arm device  10  having a cylindrical shaft  14 . The shaft  14  of the arm device  10  may be removably inserted in receptacle  24  through the opened top portion as indicated by arrow  6 , in which it may freely rotate. 
   In one embodiment (not shown), a washer may be placed in the bottom  26  of the receptacle  24  to create a more secure fit between the shaft  14  and the receptacle  24 . Preferably, the washer is made of plastic. In yet another embodiment (not shown), a bushing can be included on the interior sides of the walls  22  of the receptacle  24  to create less friction and a more secure fit between the shaft  14  and the receptacle  24 . 
   The mounting apparatuses of the current invention each include an attachment means to attach the shaft holder  20  to a surface. A wide variety of attachment means may be employed to attach the shaft holder  20  to a surface. The preferred attachment means, along with alternative attachment means, are subsequently described. 
   In preferred embodiments, the apparatuses further comprise a cylindrical threaded rod and a nut  60 . The bottom  26  further comprises a hole  28  for receiving the rod. The shaft holder  20  is attached to a long “L” member  30  or to a surface  2 , 4  by passing the cylindrical threaded rod through the bottom  26  hole  28  and through the long “L” member  30  or the surface  2 , 4 , and securing the nut  60  to the rod. When the shaft holder  20  is attached to a long “L” member  30 , the long “L” member  30  in turn is attached to a surface  2 , 4 . 
     FIGS. 1 ,  6 ,  7 ,  10 A,  10 B, and  12 A through  12 C show the mounting system of the present invention configured as a reverse wall mount apparatus  84  having a long “L” member  30 . The long “L” member  30  has a first flange  32  and a second flange  36  that are generally perpendicularly attached to one another. First flange  32  has an “a” side  33  and a “b” side  34 . The “a” side  33  is the side of first flange  32  that is facing second flange  36 . The “b” side  34  is opposite the “a” side  33  of first flange  32 . 
   Long “L” member  30  is secured by at least one wall screw  54  threaded through at least one threaded hole  38  in second flange  36 , and into wall  4 . Preferably, second flange  36  contains two threaded holes  38 , arranged vertically to each other, and the long “L” member is secured by two wall screws  54 . In a preferred embodiment, the wall screws  54  are made of wood, and they are secured to a stud in wall  4 . Alternatively, any type of threaded cylindrical rod may be used in place of the at least one wall screw  54 , provided the rod is of sufficient strength to hold the apparatus  84  to the wall  4 . 
   In this embodiment, the shaft holder  20  is secured to the “b” side  34  of first flange  32  of long “L” member  30  by screw  56 , having a flat tapered countersunk head, and nut  60 . Preferably, screw  56  is ⅜-16×1 inch long. Screw  56  passes through hole  35  of first flange  32  and hole  28  of bottom  26  of shaft holder  20 . The head of screw  56  may be received by a recess in the hole  35  on the “a” side of first flange  32 . Preferably, bottom  26  has a recess  29  adapted to receive the nut  60 . 
   With reference to  FIGS. 2 ,  3 ,  10 A through  13 C, the mounting system configured as a clamp mount apparatus  82  is shown. Shaft holder  20  is secured to “b” side  34  of first flange  32  of long “L” member  30  by screw  56  and nut  60 . In a preferred embodiment, screw  56  has a flat tapered countersunk head and dimensions of ⅜-16×1 inch long. Hole  35  on the “a” side  33  of first flange  32  has a recess to receive the tapered head of screw  56 . The tapered head of screw  56  is adapted to be secured in a countersunk manner in hole  35  such that a flat surface is obtained on “a” side  33  of first flange  32 . Screw  56  extends through hole  28  through the bottom  26  of shaft holder  20 . A hex nut  60  is secured to screw  56 . 
   Preferably, bottom  26  of shaft holder  20  has a recess  29  adapted to receive the nut  60  which facilitates in the securing of nut  60 . Second flange  36  of long “L” member  30  has at least one threaded hole  38 . In a preferred embodiment, second flange  36  has two threaded holes  38 . 
   Short “L” member  40  having first flange  42  and second flange  44  in a general perpendicular orientation to each other is attached to the second hole  38  which is the farthest from first flange  32  of long “L” member  30  by screw  58 . First flange  42  has a threaded hole  43 , and second flange  44  has a recessed hole  45 . Preferably, screw  58  has a flat tapered countersunk head and dimensions of ⅜-16×½ inch long. Screw  58  extends through hole  45  of flange  44  into the lower threaded hole in second flange  36  such that the head of screw  58  is countersunk relative to face  46 . 
   It is to be understood however, that any type of threaded cylindrical rod may be used in place of screw  58 , provided the rod is of sufficient strength to hold the short “L” member  40  to the long “L” member  30 . 
   First flange  42  of short “L” member  40  has a threaded hole  43  for receiving clamping screw  52  which is screwed through hole  43  and meets hole  51  of clamping plate  50 . Preferably, clamping screw  52  is ½-13×3 inches long, and the end of clamping screw  52  is adapted to receive a hex head wrench which is used to tighten the clamp. 
   Hole  43  is generally centered below hole  35  of first flange  32  of long “L” member  30 . The mount is secured to a projecting work surface such as a table top by clamping the surface  2  between “a” side  33  of first flange  32  of long “L” member  30  and the top surface of clamping plate  50 . In a preferred embodiment, the clamping plate  50  is made of steel, is circular, and has a 2 inch diameter. A hole  51  is located in the center of clamping plate  50 . 
   In other embodiments (not shown), at least one buffering pad may be placed between “a” of first flange  32  and the surface  2 . In addition, the at least one buffering pad may be alternatively or additionally placed between the top of clamping plate  50  and the surface  2 . The buffering pad is shaped similarly to clamping plate  50 , having a 2 inch diameter and including a center hole. The buffering pad can protect the surface from abrasion from the apparatus  82 . In addition, the buffering pad can create a more secure contact between the apparatus  82  and the surface. While any non-abrasive material could be used to make the buffering pad, a preferred material is neoprene foam. Additionally, the buffering pad may contain an adhesive for adhering to the pad to the “a” side of first flange  32  or to the clamping plate  50 . 
     FIGS. 18 and 19  show the mounting system of the present invention configured as a narrow clamp mount apparatus  90 . The narrow clamp mount  90  is similar to the clamp mount  82 . Narrow clamp mount  90  utilizes the long “L” member  30  and shaft holder  20  utilized in clamp mount  82 . In addition, narrow clamp mount  90  attaches the long “L” member  30  to the shaft holder  20  in the same manner in which they are attached for the clamp mount  82 . 
   The narrow clamp mount  90 , however, is adapted to be clamped onto a narrow projecting surface  302 , on which the top surface of the projection is deeper than the bottom surface of the projection. A desk having legs or sides is an example of a narrow projecting surface. The narrow clamp mount  90  can be used on a narrow projecting surface  302  that is narrower than the width of the first flange  42  of the short “L” member  40  of clamp mount  82 . To fit on the narrow projecting surface  302 , first flange  342  of narrow short “L” member  340  is narrower than first flange  42  of short “L” member  40 . In addition, a clamping plate is used that is narrower than clamping plate  50 . The narrow clamping plate  350  is at least as narrow as first flange  342  of narrow short “L” member  340 . Preferably, the narrow clamping plate  350  is in the form of a rectangular clamping bar that has a centered hole  351 . 
   In this embodiment, narrow short “L” member  340  having first flange  342  and second flange  344  in a general perpendicular orientation to each other is attached to the second hole  38  which is the farthest from first flange  32  of long “L” member  30  by screw  58 . First flange  342  has a threaded hole  343 , and second flange  344  has a recessed hole  345 . Preferably, screw  58  has a flat tapered countersunk head and dimensions of ⅜-16×½ inch long. Screw  58  extends through hole  345  of flange  344  into the lower threaded hole in second flange  36  such that the head of screw  58  is countersunk relative to face  346 . 
   It is to be understood however, that any type of threaded cylindrical rod may be used in place of screw  58 , provided the rod is of sufficient strength to hold the narrow short “L” member  340  to the long “L” member  30 . 
   First flange  342  of narrow short “L” member  340  has a threaded hole  343  for receiving clamping screw  52  which is screwed through hole  343  and meets hole  351  of narrow clamping plate  350 . Preferably, clamping screw  52  is ½-13×3 inches long, and the end of clamping screw  52  is adapted to receive a hex head wrench which is used to tighten the clamp. 
   Hole  343  is positioned off-center below hole  35  of first flange  32  of long “L” member  30 . The bottom side of the projecting portion of narrow projecting surface  302  may be narrower than the width of first flange  32  of long “L” member  30 . First flange of narrow short “L” member  340  is narrower than first flange  32  of long “L” member  30 . As a result, hole  343  is positioned closer than hole  35  to the edge of narrow projecting surface  302 . 
   The mount  90  is secured to a narrow projecting work surface  302  by clamping the surface  302  between “a” side  33  of first flange  32  of long “L” member  30  and the top surface of narrow clamping plate  350 . In a preferred embodiment, the narrow clamping plate  350  is made of steel. Buffering pads (not shown) may be utilized similarly to the utilization of the buffering pads for the clamp mount  82 . However, in this embodiment, the buffering pad for the narrow clamping plate  350  would be rectangular. 
     FIGS. 4 ,  5 ,  10 A,  10 B, and  12 A through  12 C show the mounting system of the present invention configured as a wall mount apparatus  80 . Similar to the reverse wall mount apparatus  84  configuration, long “L” member  30  is secured by at least one wall screw  54  threaded through at least one threaded hole  38  in second flange  36 , and into wall  4 . Preferably, second flange  36  contains two threaded holes  38 , arranged vertically to each other, and the long “L” member is secured by two wall screws  54 . In a preferred embodiment, the wall screws  54  are made of wood, and they are secured to a stud in wall  4 . Alternatively, any type of threaded cylindrical rod may be used in place of the at least one wall screw  54 , provided the rod is of sufficient strength to hold the apparatus  80  to the wall  4 . 
   Shaft holder  20  is secured to “a” side  33  of first flange  32  by screw  64  and nut  60 . Preferably, screw  64  has dimensions of ⅜-16×⅞ inches long. It is also preferred that nut  60  is positioned in recess  29  in the bottom of shaft holder  20 .  FIGS. 8 ,  9 ,  11 A and  11 B show the mounting system of the present invention configured as a table or flat mount  86 . Table mount  86  comprises shaft holder  20  which is secured to a projecting surface  2 , which may be a table top, preferably by passing bolt  62  through hole  28 , a hole in surface  2  and hole  51  of clamping plate  50  and securing the same with nut  60 . Preferably the bolt  62  has a tapered hex head, and dimensions of ⅜-16×2 inches long. In this preferred embodiment, the bottom hole  28  is recessed  29  for receiving the head of the bolt  62 . 
   Preferably, the projecting surface  2  is at least one inch wide and no wider than the length of the bolt  62  with the nut  60  attached. A hole may be drilled in the surface  2  before passing the bolt  62  through the surface. Preferably, the drilled hole has a ⅜ inch diameter. 
   While the use of a clamping plate  50  is preferred, it may be omitted from the flat mount apparatus  86  configuration. 
   In other embodiments (not shown), at least one buffering pad may be placed between the bottom of the shaft holder  20  and the surface  2 . In addition, the at least one buffering pad may be alternatively or additionally placed between the top of clamping plate  50  and the surface  2 . Preferably, the buffering pad is shaped similarly to clamping plate  50 , having a 2 inch diameter and including a center hole. The buffering pad can protect the surface from abrasion from the apparatus  86 . In addition, the buffering pad can create a more secure contact between the apparatus  86  and the surface. While any non-abrasive material could be used to make the buffering pad, a preferred material is neoprene foam. Additionally, the buffering pad may contain an adhesive for adhering to the pad to the bottom of the shaft holder  20  or to the top of clamping plate  50 . 
   With reference to  FIGS. 14 and 15 , the mounting system of the present invention is configured as a panel wall mount apparatus. Typically, conventional panel wall systems have vertically aligned pairs of slots for receiving brackets and the like for securing shelves or table tops to the panel wall. The configurable mount of the present invention may be secured to the vertically aligned pairs of slots thereby permitting the arm apparatus to be secured directly to the panel wall  130 . Second flange  36  of long “L” member  30  is attached to bracket  120  by at least one bolt  121  passing through at least one hole  122  on outward face  123  into at least one threaded hole  38  of second flange  36 . Preferably, second flange  36  is attached to bracket  120  by two bolts  121  passing through two holes  122  on outward face  123  into two threaded holes  38  of second flange  36 . Bracket  123  has a plurality of hooks  126  adapted to engage slots  128  in panel wall  130 . Set screws or bolts  124  and  125  are threaded through holes  127  and  129  respectively and press against panel wall  130  to secure bracket  120  in a fixed manner. Preferably, threaded holes  127  and  129  for set screw or bolts  124  and  125  are positioned at the top and bottom of bracket  120 . Preferably, plate  110  is positioned between panel wall  130  and set screws or bolts  124  and  125  to prevent damage to panel wall  130 . 
   Optionally, plate  110  has tabs  114  for engaging a pair of slots  128  to assist in retaining plate  110  in the properly aligned position during assembly. Plate  110  may also have holes  112  to receive or permit at least one bolt  121  to pass through plate  110  in an unobstructed manner when bracket  120  is being secured to second flange  36  of long “L” member  30 . Shaft holder  20  is secured to “a” side  33  of first flange  32  of long “L” member  30  as described above. 
   It is to be understood that any type of threaded cylindrical rod may be used in place of bolts  121  and set screws or bolts  124 ,  125  provided they are of sufficient strength for their intended purposes. 
     FIGS. 16 and 17  show the mount of the present invention configured as a slat wall mount apparatus.  FIG. 17  illustrates a configuration for mounting to a slatwall  200  having only upwardly facing slats. Second flange  36  of long “L” member  30  is attached to first bracket  210  by at least one bolt passing through at least one hole of face flange  215  into at least one threaded hole  38  of second flange  36 . Preferably, second flange  36  is attached to first bracket  210  by bolts  220  and  221  passing through holes  222  and  223  respectively of face flange  215  into two threaded holes  38  of second flange  36 . Lip  214  of top flange  212  is adapted to engage an upwardly facing slat  202  of slatwall  200 . First bracket  210  is secured to the slat by set screws or bolts  218  threaded through holes  216  and tightened against face  206  of the slat. 
   A second bracket  240  has a top flange  242  with lip  244  to engage a lower upwardly facing slat  203 . Second bracket  240  has a face flange  245  having a portion  247  thereof angled toward the slatwall  200  and is secured in position on lower slat  203  by set screws or bolts  248  which are threaded through portion  247  and press against the underside of lower slat  203 . Second bracket  240  is secured to first bracket  210  by bolts  250  and  251  passing through holes in face flange  245  and slots  230  and  231 , respectively, in face flange  215  and nuts  252  and  253 . Shaft holder  20  is secured to “a” side  33  of first flange  32  of long “L” member  30  as described above. 
   It is to be understood that any type of threaded cylindrical rods may be used in place of bolts  220 ,  221 ,  250 ,  251  and set screws or bolts  218 ,  248  provided they are of sufficient strength for their intended purposes. 
     FIG. 17  illustrates a configuration of the mounting system of the present invention configured as an upwardly facing and downwardly facing slat wall mount apparatus. This apparatus is adapted for mounting to a slat wall  200  having upwardly and downwardly facing slats. First bracket  210  is secured to long “L” member  30  and the upwardly facing portion of slat  202  in the same manner as described above. In this configuration, a second bracket  260  has a lower flange  262  with lip  264  to engage the downwardly facing portion of slat  204 . Second bracket  260  is secured in position on lower slat  204  by set screws or bolts  248  which are threaded through holes  269  through the bottom of lower flange  262  at an upward angle and press against the outer face  206  of lower slat  204 . Second bracket  260  is secured to first bracket  210  by bolts  250  and  251  passing through holes in face flange  245  and slots  230  and  231 , respectively, in face flange  215  and nuts  252  and  253 . Shaft holder  20  is secured to “a” side  33  of first flange  32  of long “L” member  30  as described above. 
   It is to be understood that any type of threaded cylindrical rods may be used in place of bolts  250 ,  251  and set screws or bolts  248  provided they are of sufficient strength for their intended purpose. 
   This invention includes a mounting system that incorporates all or some of the components above described in  FIGS. 1 through 19 . In conjunction with the components described in  FIGS. 1 through 19 , the system of the current invention also includes all or some of the configurations above described in relation to  FIGS. 1 through 19 . 
   In addition to the preferred embodiments previously described in detail, the shaft holder  20  may be attached to a horizontal, vertical or angled surface my attachment means (not shown) including glue, magnets, hook and loop material sold under the trademark VELCRO, tongue and groove assemblies, and the like. 
   The components of the mounting system may be fabricated using any suitable material such as aluminum, iron, steel other alloys as are well known in the art. Preferably, long “L” member  30 , short “L” member  40 , shaft holder  20  and clamping plate  50  are cast forged. Any suitable, durable plastic material may be used for “lightweight” applications. In a preferred embodiment, the nut  60  is fabricated from nylon. 
   Although this invention has been illustrated by reference to specific embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made which clearly fall within the scope of the invention.