Patent Description:
<CIT> describes a temporary support for telephones. The support is to be used in cars and meant to provide a connection which is reliable during crashes. The telephone comprises a recess and a slider which can be moved up, against a force caused by a spring and down. When moved up the slider allows (relative) passage of a plate into the cavity and subsequent downward movement of the slider locks the plate in the cavity.

The invention aims to provide a system which can have a constructionally simple configuration and, in association therewith, can be assembled in a relatively simple manner without impairing the functionality of the system or even with an improvement of this functionality. To this end, the invention provides a system according to Claim <NUM>. The invention is in this case based on the understanding that a rectilinear sliding displacement of a securing body between a securing position and a free position, such as is known, for example, from <CIT>, entails an inherent risk of a certain degree of tilting, as a result of which measures have to be taken in order to prevent undesired tilting. By using a securing body whose displacement between the securing position and the free position is a pivoting displacement instead of one sliding along a rectilinear path, the need for such measures disappears and the system can have a constructionally simple configuration. This also entails the advantage that, in principle, simple assembly must be possible. The viewing screen can be fastened to the system in a very reliable manner because the base body comprises a suspension edge and the screen body comprises a suspension hook in order to suspend the screen body from the suspension edge of the base body via the suspension hook.

The advantages regarding constructional simplicity and relatively simple assembly may in particular be relevant if the screen body comprises a first recess and the securing body has a protruding part which is inserted in the recess, wherein at least one part of the periphery of the protruding part of the securing body has a circular profile and adjoins at least one part of the periphery of the first recess in a guiding manner for guiding cooperation between the periphery of the protruding part and the recess during pivoting of the securing body between the securing position and the free position. Said guiding adjoining arrangement makes the pivoting connection between the securing body and the screen body possible in a constructionally simple manner. In this case, at least one part of the periphery of the recess is preferably also circular, in which case the axes of the respective (partial) circle shapes of the securing body and the screen body coincide.

In a further embodiment, the first recess has at least one outwardly directed recess part and the protruding part of the securing body comprises, on the periphery thereof, at least one outwardly directed retaining part, which at least one retaining part is configured to, during assembly of the securing body on the screen body, be inserted from a first side through the at least one recess part and to subsequently be rotated about the pivot axis such that the retaining part comes to lie against a second side of the screen body that is situated opposite to the first side. After the at least one retaining part has been inserted through the at least one recess part as mentioned, the securing body and therefore the at least one recess part can be rotated about the pivot axis, as a result of which the at least one retaining part comes to lie in the region of the circular part of the periphery of the recess, thus allowing the at least one retaining part to retain the securing body with respect to the screen body, at least in a direction parallel to the pivot axis. Advantageously, the first recess has more than one, for example three or four, recess parts which are preferably situated at an equal angular distance from each other. Further preferably, the number of recess parts corresponds to the number of retaining parts.

The constructional simplicity and the simplicity of the assembly process may be further improved if the spring member comprises at least one resilient lip, and in particular if the at least one resilient lip forms part of the securing body, preferably an integral part thereof.

A further simplification of the assembly process may be achieved if the screen body comprises a second recess and the spring member has a fixing part which is inserted in the second recess in order to fix the spring member with respect to the screen body at the location of the fixing part.

In particular if the spring body comprises at least one resilient lip, in one embodiment, during pivoting of the securing body from the securing position to the free position, the spring body bears against a stop surface of the screen body or at least of a part rigidly connected thereto and the spring body compresses. Thus, the desired operation of the spring body is achieved in a simple manner.

In order to facilitate the removal of the viewing screen when using the system, it may be advantageous if the system has a blocking device for blocking the securing body in the free position thereof. It is thus possible for the securing body to first be pivoted from the securing position to the free position and then be held in this free position by means of the blocking device. It is subsequently possible for the viewing screen, together with the screen body, to be removed from the base part, which is necessary, for example, for the purpose of maintenance on the viewing screen or a move. The aforementioned operations can thus be carried out by the same person.

In this case, the ease of use may be further increased if the blocking device is configured to automatically start working due to the pivoting of the securing body from the securing position to the free position.

A constructionally simple embodiment of the blocking device may be achieved if the blocking device comprises a first blocking hook edge which pivots together with the securing body, and also a second blocking hook edge which forms part of the screen body or forms part at least of a part rigidly connected thereto, which first blocking hook edge and second blocking hook edge engage with each other under the influence of the resilient action of the spring member with blocking action of the blocking means.

In an alternative embodiment, the system has a slowing device for resisting the action of the spring body during pivoting of the securing body from the free position to the securing position. This has the consequence that the securing body will pivot back from the free position to the securing position more slowly than would be the case if the system were to not be provided with a slowing device. Use can be made of this slowing action since this may afford a user sufficient opportunity to remove the viewing screen, together with the screen body, from the base part, after the user has ensured that the securing body has pivoted from the securing position to the free position. The further advantage that a slowing device has with respect to the use of a blocking device is that if the securing body were to unintentionally pivot from the securing position to the free position, the securing body will not unintentionally assume this free position for an indefinite period of time, whereby the viewing screen would unintentionally not be secured to the securing body. This is because the slowing device will only slow the return of the securing body from the free position to the securing position, but not block it.

A constructionally simple embodiment of the slowing device may be achieved if the slowing device comprises a transmission having two transmission members which, during at least a part of the pivoting of the securing body from the free position to the securing position, preferably during only one part of the pivoting of the securing body from the free position to the securing position, which part preferably comprises the free position, are configured to slow down the speed with which the securing body pivots from the free position to the securing position under the influence of the spring body. It is for example possible for the two transmission members to respectively be a curved rack, the axis of which coincides with the pivot axis, and a pinion which engages with, or at least can engage with, the rack. In this case, the pinion may be configured in such a way that, during pivoting of the securing body from the securing position to the free position and during engagement of the two transmission members, said pinion exerts no, or at least a negligible amount of, braking force on the pivoting of the securing body from the securing position to the free position. However, when the securing body is pivoting back from the free position to the securing position, the pinion may then be configured in such a way that the pinion exerts a noticeable braking force on the last-mentioned pivoting of the securing body. Such pinions are known per se and are marketed, for example, by the Italian manufacturer Fastpoint as rotary dampers.

In order to keep the production costs low, it may be preferable for the securing body to be a plastics product produced by means of injection moulding.

A simple way of bringing about pivoting of the securing body from the securing position to the free position may be achieved if the securing body comprises an elongate pull element for causing the securing body to pivot about the pivot axis from the securing position to the free position counter to the action of the spring member by pulling on the pull element in the length direction thereof.

The invention will be explained further by means of a number of possible embodiments of a system according to the invention with reference to the following figures:.

Where relative terms such as front side, rear side, bottom side and top side have been used or will be used in the description above and below, these terms have to be interpreted from the perspective of a viewer facing a viewing screen which is fastened to the system in question.

<FIG> relate to a system <NUM> according to a first embodiment. The system comprises a base body <NUM> and two screen bodies <NUM>.

The base body <NUM> is an extruded aluminium profile, only a part of the length of which is illustrated in <FIG>. When using the system <NUM>, base body <NUM> extends in a horizontal direction and is fastened, for example by way of the rear side <NUM> thereof, to a wall (not shown in any more detail), for example by means of screws which extend through holes in the base body <NUM> into plugs which are fitted in the relevant wall. As an alternative, it is for example possible for the base body to be fastened to a construction which is specifically provided therefor and which is placed, for example, on a movable carriage. The base body <NUM> is provided with a horizontal suspension edge <NUM> on the top side and with a horizontal first hook edge <NUM> on the bottom side. The suspension edge <NUM> and the hook edge <NUM> are located on the front side <NUM> of the system <NUM>, which is logically situated opposite to the rear side <NUM>. Such a base body <NUM> is already known per se.

The system <NUM> further comprises two screen bodies <NUM>, only one of which is illustrated in <FIG>. The two screen bodies <NUM> are configured in a mirror-symmetrical manner with respect to a vertical plane which extends, during use of system <NUM>, perpendicularly with respect to the base body <NUM>. As an alternative, the screen bodies <NUM> could also be configured identically to one another. Each screen body <NUM> is a perpendicularly bent steel plate having a first strip-shaped screen body part <NUM> and a second strip-shaped screen body part <NUM>, which strip-shaped screen body parts <NUM>, <NUM> adjoin one another at the perpendicular bend. Two protruding parts <NUM>, <NUM> which are, at least in the used form, directed towards the rear are provided on the free longitudinal side of the first screen body part <NUM>. The upper protruding part <NUM> forms a suspension hook having a hook-shaped recess <NUM>. Hook-shaped recess <NUM> is situated at a distance from the front vertical edge <NUM> of the protruding part <NUM> and the form thereof fits with that of the suspension edge <NUM> of the base body <NUM>. The protruding part <NUM> also has a horizontal edge <NUM> which connects the vertical front edge <NUM> and the hook-shaped recess <NUM> to one another.

The lower protruding part <NUM> comprises recess <NUM>, vertical front edge <NUM> and horizontal edge <NUM> which connects recess <NUM> and the vertical front edge <NUM> to one another.

Between the recesses <NUM> and <NUM>, the first screen body part <NUM> comprises a bearing edge <NUM>. As seen in the horizontal direction, the front edges <NUM> and <NUM> lie at an equal distance from bearing edge <NUM> and are thus situated in line with one another. Horizontal edge <NUM> of protruding part <NUM> is slightly longer than horizontal edge <NUM> of protruding part <NUM> and, logically, hook-shaped recess <NUM> of the lower protruding part <NUM> is thus slightly wider than hook-shaped recess <NUM> of the upper protruding part <NUM>. Furthermore, the vertical distance between the deepest (thus actually highest) point of hook-shaped recess <NUM> and the horizontal edge <NUM> is approximately two times as great as the vertical distance between the deepest (thus actually lowest) point of hook-shaped recess <NUM> and the horizontal edge <NUM>. Provided in the screen body part <NUM>, approximately at the height of the horizontal edge <NUM>, is a recess <NUM>, the form and functionality of which will be explained in more detail.

In the second screen body part <NUM>, various round or slot-shaped recesses 23a, 23b and 23c are provided, collectively denoted by reference numeral <NUM>. These recesses <NUM> may serve as fastening holes in order to fasten a viewing screen to the front side of the screen body part <NUM> in a clamping manner by means of bolts which extend from the rear side through such holes <NUM>. In this case, the bolts engage with internal screw threads which are provided on the rear side of the viewing screen in accordance with the VESA system.

Provided below recess <NUM> and still within the height of the protruding part <NUM> of the screen body part <NUM>, at the perpendicular bend where the screen body parts <NUM> and <NUM> adjoin one another in a perpendicular manner, is a recess <NUM>, the functionality of which will be explained in more detail.

System <NUM> further comprises a securing body <NUM> for each of the screen bodies <NUM>. Each securing body <NUM> is a single-piece plastics component which is produced by means of injection moulding. The securing body <NUM> comprises a main part <NUM> having an at least substantially closed longitudinal side <NUM> and an open longitudinal side <NUM> situated opposite the latter. Between the longitudinal sides <NUM> and <NUM>, securing body <NUM> comprises, inter alia, stiffening ribs <NUM> which are visible in <FIG> owing to the open nature of longitudinal side <NUM>.

On the front side, the main part <NUM> comprises a second hook edge <NUM> which is directed upwards and is configured to cooperate with the first hook edge <NUM> of the base body <NUM> as will be explained in more detail below. On the rear side, the securing body <NUM> comprises a resilient lip <NUM> which is provided, at the lower end thereof and on the side of longitudinal side <NUM>, with ridge <NUM>, which ridge <NUM> extends on the outer side of the longitudinal side <NUM>.

Securing body <NUM> further comprises a cylindrical fastening part <NUM> on the open longitudinal side <NUM>. Fastening part <NUM> is provided with a hexagonal recess <NUM>, the centre of which coincides with axis <NUM>. The fastening part <NUM> is provided, at the free end thereof, with four protruding teeth <NUM> which are provided at an equal angular distance from each another. Those sides of teeth <NUM> which are directed towards longitudinal side <NUM> of main part <NUM> are located at a distance from this longitudinal side <NUM>, which distance is selected to be slightly greater, for example <NUM> greater, than the thickness of the first screen body part <NUM>.

Recess <NUM> is at least substantially circular, the diameter of this circle shape being selected to be slightly greater, for example <NUM> greater, than the diameter of the cylinder shape of the fastening part <NUM>. Recess <NUM> also has, on the periphery thereof, four protruding parts <NUM> whose form and dimensions are matched to those of the teeth <NUM> and in such a way that teeth <NUM> pass precisely through the protruding parts <NUM> provided that they are aligned therewith.

Securing body <NUM> and the associated screen body <NUM> can be assembled in a simple manner. To this end, the axis <NUM> of the cylinder shape of securing body <NUM> is aligned with the centre of recess <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>, and the securing body <NUM> is rotated through <NUM> degrees about said axis such that the teeth <NUM> come to lie directly opposite the recesses <NUM>. The fastening part <NUM> is subsequently inserted in recess <NUM> (<FIG>), the teeth <NUM> being displaced through the protruding parts <NUM> and coming to lie on the outer side of the first screen body part <NUM>. The securing body <NUM> is then rotated back through <NUM> degrees. As a result, ridge <NUM> will be click-fitted in recess <NUM> owing to the resilient action of lip <NUM>. In the assembled state, the upper point of the second hook edge <NUM> is situated above the horizontal edge <NUM> belonging to protruding part <NUM> of the first screen body part <NUM>, as is in particular visible in <FIG>.

The system <NUM> is also provided with a pull cord <NUM> for each securing body <NUM>, said pull cord engaging with the securing body <NUM> directly below the second hook edge <NUM> of the associated securing body <NUM>, for example by means of a click-fit connection (not shown in any more detail).

A more detailed description of how the system <NUM> functions will be given below. The starting situation is the one in which two screen bodies <NUM> are fastened parallel to one another to the rear side of a viewing screen to be suspended. The viewing screen is subsequently suspended from the suspension edge <NUM> via the hook-shaped recesses <NUM> of the respective screen bodies <NUM>, the viewing screen, and thus the screen bodies <NUM>, still being inclined slightly with respect to a vertical plane, as illustrated in <FIG>. The viewing screen is subsequently pivoted from this slightly inclined orientation around suspension edge <NUM> to a vertical orientation, as a result of which the bearing edge <NUM> comes to bear against the rear side of base body <NUM>. In this case, the distance between the upper point of recess <NUM> and the horizontal edge <NUM> is such that hook edge <NUM> of the base body <NUM> and the horizontal edge <NUM> still remain just free from each other, as is clearly visible in <FIG>. The oblique flanks of first hook edge <NUM> and second hook edge <NUM> slide along each other, as a result of which the securing body <NUM> pivots, clockwise in <FIG>, about axis <NUM> counter to the action of the resilient lip <NUM> which strikes against the inner side of the second screen body part <NUM>. As soon as the outer points of the first hook edge <NUM> and the second hook edge <NUM> have passed each other completely, the securing body <NUM> will pivot back under the influence of the resilient action of lip <NUM>, after which the second hook edge <NUM> engages with the first hook edge <NUM> in a secure manner. In case securing body <NUM> were to unexpectedly not be secure, recess <NUM> in the lower protruding part <NUM> of the first screen body part <NUM> prevents the first hook edge <NUM> from engaging in this recess <NUM> if the viewing screen is lifted slightly or is pushed upwards, as a result of which undesired tilting of the viewing screen about the suspension edge <NUM> is prevented.

If there were a need to cancel this securing action of securing body <NUM>, it is possible to pull downwards on pull cord <NUM>, after which the securing body <NUM> will again assume the orientation as illustrated in <FIG> with respect to the associated screen body <NUM>. Thus, space is provided for the second hook edge <NUM> to pass the first hook edge <NUM>, after which the situation according to <FIG> can be reached again and the screen can be removed from the base body <NUM>. The hexagonal recess <NUM> offers the possibility of, behind a viewing screen suspended using system <NUM>, rotating the securing body <NUM> about the axis <NUM> by using a tool with a hexagonal head to engage with the cut-out <NUM>, which may be useful, for example, in the absence of the pull cord <NUM>.

<FIG> relate to an alternative embodiment. Where applicable, for similar components of the system, the same reference numerals are used in <FIG> as in the description of <FIG>, but increased by <NUM>. Securing body <NUM> is provided with a second resilient lip <NUM> which is provided, at the front end thereof, with a hook edge <NUM>. A recess <NUM> is provided in the first screen body part <NUM> of screen body <NUM>, as a result of which the screen body <NUM> is also provided, in the first screen body part <NUM> thereof, with a hook edge <NUM>.

In securing operation of securing body <NUM>, hook edge <NUM> extends within the recess <NUM>. Pulling downwards on pull cord <NUM> starting from this situation causes securing body <NUM> in <FIG> to pivot anti-clockwise, and due to bevelling along the oblique flanks of the hook edges <NUM> and <NUM>, hook edge <NUM> will move out of recess <NUM> and come to hook behind hook edge <NUM>, partly under the influence of the resilient action of lip <NUM>. Thus, it is therefore not necessary to pull continuously on pull cord <NUM> in order to keep securing body <NUM> in its free position, such that a viewing screen can be removed in a simple manner. When repositioning the viewing screen, base body <NUM> will strike against the oblique flank of hook edge <NUM>, as a result of which the latter is pushed downwards slightly and comes free from hook edge <NUM> so as to subsequently move back towards recess <NUM> due to the action of resilient lip <NUM>.

Claim 1:
System (<NUM>) for positioning a viewing screen, comprising a base body (<NUM>), at least one screen body (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>) which comprises a suspension hook (<NUM>) and, on the one hand, is configured to be rigidly connected, at least in one position of the screen body, to the base body and, on the other hand, is configured to fasten a viewing screen thereto, and a securing body (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>) for releasably securing the rigid connection between the base body and the screen body, wherein the base body comprises a suspension edge (<NUM>), and the suspension hook (<NUM>) and the suspension edge (<NUM>) are configured to suspend the screen body (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>) from the suspension edge (<NUM>) of the base body (<NUM>) via the suspension hook (<NUM>), and wherein the base body (<NUM>) has a first hook edge (<NUM>) and the securing body has a second hook edge (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>), wherein the second hook edge is displaceable with respect to the screen body between a securing position in which the first hook edge and the second hook edge engage with each other, as a result of which or at least partly as a result of which the screen body is rigidly connected to the base body, and a free position in which the first hook edge and the second hook edge are free from each other to such an extent that the at least one screen body is displaceable with respect to the base body, the system further comprising a spring member (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>) which is operative to withstand displacement of the second hook edge from the securing position to the free position, wherein the securing body is connected to the screen body so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis (<NUM>; <NUM>) between the securing position and the free position.