Patent ID: 7046509

Claim:
A computer controlled display device, comprising: a flat panel display having an input for receiving display data; a moveable assembly coupled to said display, said moveable assembly providing at least three degrees of freedom of movement for said flat panel display device and having a cross-sectional area which is substantially less than a cross-sectional area of a display structure of said flat panel display, wherein said moveable assembly comprises a plurality of stacked joints, wherein each joint comprises a first link having a forked end, said forked end having a first prong and a second prong, a second link having a protruding end, said protruding end having a bore, and a pin disposed within said bore, said pin coupled to said first prong and said second prong, such that said first link may rotate about an axis with respect to said second link; and an actuation device disposed within said moveable assembly, said actuation device suspending movement of said moveable assembly when a valve is in a closed position and permitting said movement when said valve is in an opened position, wherein said actuation device comprises a vane-lock assembly within said joint, said vane-lock assembly comprising a first chamber and a second chamber, a vane between said first chamber and second chamber, said vane coupled to said pin, said first chamber and said second chamber having a fluid therein, a duct to fluidly interconnect said first chamber to said second chamber, and a valve within said duct, said valve to permit flow of said fluid between said first chamber and said second chamber when said valve is in an open position and to prevent flow of said fluid between said first chamber and said second chamber when said valve is in a closed position.