PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-11788609-B2
Application Number: US-202217813596-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Display lift arm

Abstract:
A display assembly has a linkage and counterbalance made to provide non-tilting movement of a display at the end of a support arm while providing counterbalance equal to a change in potential energy of the display. The linkage can be a four-bar, parallelogram-shaped linkage, and the counterbalance can include a Scotch yoke configured to store energy in an energy storage device of the assembly as the support arm rotates. The display assembly can improve comfort and ease of moving a supported display while minimizing friction, hysteresis, and counterbalance mismatch.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A display arm, comprising:
 a first end support for attachment to a support surface; 
 a second end support to a display; 
 an arm structure pivotally connected to at least the first end support and pivotable about an arm pivot axis, the arm structure extending from the first end support to the second end support; 
 a counterbalance mechanism including:
 an energy storage device; 
 a block coupled to the energy storage device; 
 a counterbalance arm having a follower contacting the block, the counterbalance arm being pivotally coupled with the arm structure at a counterbalance pivot point on the arm structure, and the counterbalance arm being pivotable about a counterbalance pivot axis; 
 
 wherein a first angular displacement of the arm structure about the arm pivot axis induces a second angular displacement of the counterbalance arm about the counterbalance pivot axis, the first angular displacement being different from the second angular displacement. 
 
     
     
       2. The display arm of  claim 1 , wherein the second angular displacement is larger than the first angular displacement. 
     
     
       3. The display arm of  claim 2 , wherein the second angular displacement is about two times larger than the first angular displacement. 
     
     
       4. The display arm of  claim 1 , wherein the counterbalance mechanism further includes a conversion arm with a first end pivotally connected to the counterbalance arm and a second end pivotally connected to at least one of: the first end support and the second end support. 
     
     
       5. The display arm of  claim 1 , wherein the counterbalance pivot axis is positioned between the first end support and the second end support. 
     
     
       6. The display arm of  claim 1 , wherein the arm structure comprises a four-bar linkage. 
     
     
       7. A display support assembly, comprising:
 an arm linkage including:
 a first end support; 
 a second end support; 
 a first bar pivotally connecting a first pivot point at the first end support to a second pivot point at the second end support; and 
 a second bar pivotally connecting a third pivot point at the first end support to a fourth pivot point at the second end support, wherein the first, second, third, and fourth pivot points form a parallelogram; 
 
 an arm structure extending from the first end support to the second end support; and 
 a counterbalance mechanism including:
 an energy storage device; 
 a block coupled to the energy storage device; 
 a counterbalance arm pivotally connected to the arm structure at a fifth pivot point located on the arm structure; 
 a follower positioned on the counterbalance arm and having a rounded surface configured to remain in constant contact with the block; and 
 a conversion arm pivotally connected to the first end support at a sixth pivot point and pivotally connected to the counterbalance arm at a seventh pivot point. 
 
 
     
     
       8. The display support assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the first bar forms a housing containing at least the energy storage device. 
     
     
       9. The display support assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the fifth pivot point is positioned between the first pivot point and the second pivot point. 
     
     
       10. The display support assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the first end support comprises at least one side surface limiting a range of angular displacement of the conversion arm at the sixth pivot point. 
     
     
       11. The display support assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the conversion arm is positioned in a recess in the first end support. 
     
     
       12. The display support assembly of  claim 7 , wherein a rate of rotation of the counterbalance arm about the fifth pivot point is configured to exceed a rate of rotation of the first bar about the first pivot point. 
     
     
       13. The display support assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the rounded follower is configured to move along the block in an arc-shaped path about the fifth pivot point.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
     This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/583,222, filed 25 Sep. 2019, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/855,315, filed 31 May 2019, and entitled “DISPLAY LIFT ARM,” the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The described embodiments relate generally to stands and supports for electronic devices. More particularly, these embodiments relate to counterbalanced arm supports for a computer display. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Computer device designers often desire to control positioning of a computer monitor or similar display at whatever height and orientation is best suited for the needs of the user. Support stands are used to position the display to accommodate users and desktop surfaces of different heights, sizes, and postures. Support stands can also allow users to adjust the positioning of the monitor with little expended effort. 
     While various existing display stands provide tilt, rotation, and vertical height adjustment of monitors, these features often come at the expense of being convenient and natural to use. Many require the user to deal with significant friction or hysteresis that makes adjustment difficult, awkward, and time consuming. Such issues impede the stand from having a high quality, and make the stand more difficult to provide a satisfactory user experience. There is, therefore, a constant need for improvements to stands and supports for electronic devices. 
     SUMMARY 
     One aspect of the disclosure relates to a display assembly comprising an electronic display, an arm linkage, and a counterbalance mechanism. The arm linkage can include a first end support attachable to a support surface, a second end support coupled to the electronic display, a first bar attached to a first pivot point on the first end support and to a second pivot point on the second end support, and a second bar attached to a third pivot point on the first end support and to a fourth pivot point on the second end support. The first, second, third, and fourth pivot points can form a parallelogram. The counterbalance mechanism can include an energy storage device and a block coupled to the energy storage device, wherein movement of the electronic display can respectively rotate the first and second bars about the first and third pivot points and translate the block to change a potential energy of the energy storage device. The change in the potential energy of the energy storage device can be equal to a change in potential energy of the electronic display caused by the movement of the electronic display. 
     The display assembly can further comprise a housing containing the arm linkage and the counterbalance mechanism, wherein the counterbalance mechanism comprises a rotatable member having a follower end contacting the block, with the rotatable member being configured to pivot in response to the movement of the electronic display and to induce translation of the block, and a display stand extending below the housing, with the support surface being positioned on the display stand. The second and fourth pivot points can be stationary relative to each other during the movement of the electronic display relative to the display stand. 
     In various embodiments, the support surface can be part of a display stand. The block can engage a counterbalance linkage to convert rotational movement of the arm linkage into translation of the block. The counterbalance linkage can convert rotational movement of the arm linkage into rotation of a member of the counterbalance linkage. The rotational movement of the arm linkage can be converted into rotation of the member at a 2:1 ratio. The block can be part of a Scotch yoke. 
     Another aspect of the disclosure relates to a display support comprising a base, an arm extending from the base, with the arm including a first end member having a first lateral axis, a second end member having a second lateral axis, and a linkage coupling the first end member to the second end member, wherein the second end member is vertically translatable relative to the first end member without the first or second end members rotating about their respective first or second lateral axes, and an energy storage structure that increases stored energy proportional to downward movement of the second end member and that decreases stored energy proportional to upward movement of the second end member. 
     In some embodiments, the energy storage structure can be positioned in the arm. The display support can comprise weight coupled to the second end member, wherein the energy storage structure stores or releases energy in a quantity equal to a quantity of a change in potential energy of the weight. The first end member can comprise a first gear surface, and the energy storage structure can comprise a second gear surface engaging the first gear surface. The first and second gear surfaces can induce rotation of a portion of the energy storage structure at one-half a rate of rotation of the linkage. The energy storage structure can comprise a block and a biasing member, with the biasing member storing energy in response to movement of the second end member and with the biasing member applying a force to the block. 
     Yet another aspect of the disclosure relates to an electronic display assembly comprising an electronic display having a front-facing viewing surface, a stand, a linkage coupled to the stand through a vertical axis, with the linkage being coupled to the electronic display, and a counterbalance assembly having a biasing member and a counterbalance mechanism to change potential energy stored in the biasing member. Application of a force to the electronic display can pivot the linkage relative to the stand and relative to the electronic display with the front-facing viewing surface being parallel to the vertical axis, and application of the force can rotate the counterbalance mechanism to change an amount of potential energy stored in the biasing member equal to an amount of changed potential energy of the electronic display. 
     In some embodiments, the counterbalance mechanism comprises a four-bar linkage or comprises a block coupled to the biasing member, wherein rotation of the linkage relative to the stand translates the block. The counterbalance mechanism can comprise enmeshed gears. The linkage can be a four-bar linkage. The counterbalance assembly can be positioned between the electronic display and the stand. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The disclosure will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like structural elements, and in which: 
         FIG.  1    shows a front view of a display assembly with a display in a lowered position. 
         FIG.  2    shows a side view of the assembly of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  3    shows a front view of the assembly of  FIG.  1    with the display in a raised position. 
         FIG.  4    shows a side view of the assembly of  FIG.  3   . 
         FIG.  5    shows an isometric view of a support arm and stand. 
         FIG.  6    shows an isometric view of a support arm. 
         FIG.  7    shows another isometric view of a support arm. 
         FIG.  8    shows a side section view of the support arm of  FIG.  7    as taken through section lines  8 - 8  in  FIG.  7   . 
         FIG.  9    shows a side section view of the support arm of  FIG.  7    as taken through section lines  9 - 9  in  FIG.  7   . 
         FIG.  10    shows a side view of a display assembly in a lowered position. 
         FIG.  11    shows a central side section view of the assembly of  FIG.  10   . 
         FIG.  12    shows a side view of the display assembly of  FIG.  10    in a horizontal position. 
         FIG.  13    shows a central side section view of the assembly of  FIG.  12   . 
         FIG.  14    shows a side view of the display assembly of  FIG.  10    in a raised position. 
         FIG.  15    shows a central side section view of the assembly of  FIG.  14   . 
         FIG.  16    shows a side section view of another embodiment of a display assembly with the support arm in a lowered position. 
         FIG.  17    shows a side section view the assembly of  FIG.  16    in a horizontal position. 
         FIG.  18    shows an isometric view of the assembly of  FIG.  17   . 
         FIG.  19    shows a side section view of the assembly of  FIG.  16    in a raised position. 
         FIG.  20    shows a diagrammatic side view of another embodiment of a display assembly with the display in a raised position. 
         FIG.  21    is a plot of energy versus arm angle for embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to representative embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the following descriptions are not intended to limit the embodiments to any preferred embodiment. To the contrary, it is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as can be included within the spirit and scope of the described embodiments as defined by the appended claims. 
     The following disclosure relates to a counterbalanced support arm device using a Scotch yoke to adjust potential energy in at least one biasing member counterbalance which has a constant spring rate. The energy of the system can be balanced at all times, such that when the display is moved down and accordingly loses potential energy, additional, equal energy is stored in the potential energy of the biasing member. The biasing member can be compressed or expanded as the potential energy of the display changes, and the compression or expansion can be provided by contact between the biasing member and a translatable yoke or block structure that has its translation driven by a rotating shaft in the Scotch yoke. 
     In some embodiments, the angular rate of movement of the Scotch yoke is two times the rotation of the display support arm. Therefore, when the arm is in a completely vertically upward-extending orientation, the Scotch link is also vertically upward-extending, and as the arm moves down to a vertically downward-extending orientation (e.g., 180 degrees rotated relative to the upward-extending orientation), the Scotch yoke travels 90 degrees while storing energy in the biasing member (e.g., compressing the spring). The rate of compression of the biasing member can be matched with the simple harmonic motion of the mass of the display. See  FIG.  21   . In some embodiments, the support arm can have a total range of motion of about 80 degrees (i.e., about 40 degrees upward relative to a horizontal configuration and about 40 degrees downward relative to the horizontal configuration), about 60 degrees, about 90 degrees, about 120 degrees, about 150 degrees, about 180 degrees, or a range fitting between any of these ranges of motion. 
     In various embodiments, the Scotch yoke can be driven by a 2:1 gear ratio between geared surfaces or by a 2:1 rate of angular rotation between a linkage arm in a four-bar linkage arrangement of the support arm and a linkage arm that is part of the Scotch yoke. The Scotch yoke can provide maximum torque when the support arm is in a horizontal configuration and can provide reduced torque (i.e., there is torque falloff relative to the torque at the horizontal configuration) in both raised and lowered configurations. 
     The support arm can hold the display at a constant tilt angle relative to a support surface or base of the stand as the arm rotates. For example, a four-bar linkage can be integrated into the arm in a manner that preserves parallel motion of a first vertical plane through one end of the four-bar linkage (e.g., through a pair of pivot points for bars of the four-bar linkage in one end support structure) and a second vertical plane through an opposite end of the four-bar linkage (e.g., through a pair of pivot points for the bars in a second end support structure). Accordingly, the support arm can have a yoked counterbalance that is referenced by a four-bar linkage or similar parallel-motion device. In some embodiments, an end of the support arm can also provide tilt to an attached display (i.e., rotation of the display about the end of the support arm connected to the display). 
     In some embodiments, the counterbalance mechanism is positioned in a housing in the support arm between a support surface and the electronic display. The counterbalance mechanism can also be positioned in a support structure external to the display and the support arm, such as by being positioned in a stand structure that supports the end of the support arm positioned opposite the electronic display. 
     The combination of a counterbalance with 1:1 potential energy conversion and parallel movement of the ends of the support arm can provide improved smooth and precise adjustment motion of the electronic display between vertical positions. The input force required to adjust the display can also be constrained to desired levels because the counterbalance does not necessarily use friction to store energy or to prevent movement of the support arm. Accordingly, friction in the pivotable portions of the support arm (e.g., friction disks in the four-bar linkage) can be designed to provide a desired amount of resistance to adjustment. In this manner, the motion of the support arm can be smooth and have minimized hysteresis. Additionally, the display-coupled end of the support arm can be attached to a pivoting member configured to permit the display to tilt relative to the display-coupled end of the support arm without causing the display-coupled end to move or rotate on its own. 
     These and other embodiments are discussed below with reference to the figures. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes only and should not be construed as limiting. 
       FIGS.  1 - 15    show various aspects of a display assembly  100 .  FIG.  1    illustrates a front view and  FIG.  2    shows a right side view of an electronic display  102  coupled to a support arm  104  that is coupled to a stand  106 .  FIGS.  3 - 4    show the display  102  coupled to the support arm  104  in a raised position relative to the configuration shown in  FIGS.  1 - 2   . 
     The display assembly  100  can be a standalone assembly wherein the support arm  104  and stand  106  are configured to support the weight of a single display  102 . In some embodiments, the display assembly  100  can omit the stand  106 , and the support arm  104  can be coupled to another support surface or ground surface such as, for example, a vertical wall, a horizontal rail extending laterally across the width the display  102  and behind the display  102 , or another similar structure. See  FIG.  16    at element  1601 . 
     The display  102  can comprise an electronic display such as a monitor or similar visual output device for displaying information in pictorial form. The display  102  can comprise a display device (e.g., a thin film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD) with light-emitting diode (LED) or cold-cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL) backlighting or an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display), circuitry, a housing or casing, and a power supply. The display  102  can be configured to connect to a computer using connectors and ports such as a digital visual interface (DVI) connector, DISPLAYPORT® connector, THUNDERBOLT® connector, or other related or similar electrical interfaces. 
     The display  102  can comprise a front-facing surface  108  configured to face and display information to the user for viewing. Thus, the front-facing surface  108  can be referred to as a viewing surface. The front-facing surface  108  can be substantially planar/flat or curved (e.g., cylindrically concave or convex). The display  102  can comprise a rear-facing surface  110  configured to face away from the user. The support arm  104  can be positioned between the rear-facing surface  110  and the stand  106 . The support arm  104  can be releasably coupled to the display  102  at the rear-facing surface  110  or in rear side portions of the display  102 . In some embodiments, the support arm  104  can be attached to the display  102  at a display attachment point  115 . 
     The support arm  104  can also be coupled to the stand  106 . The stand  106  can comprise a base  112  configured to extend underneath the display  102  and can comprise a vertical support  114  configured to extend upward from the base  112  and behind the rear-facing surface  110  of the display  102 . The vertical support  114  can have a top end at which the support arm  104  is attached at a stand attachment point  116 . The stand  106  can therefore be referred to as having a generally L-shaped profile with the display  102  being positioned above a base portion  112  of the L-shape, as shown in  FIGS.  2  and  4   . 
     The support arm  104  can hold the display  102  in place relative to the stand  106  and can keep the display  102  in a user-selected vertical position relative to the stand  106 . The support arm  104  can retain the display in multiple different positions including a lowered position (as shown in  FIGS.  1 - 2   ) and a raised position (as shown in  FIGS.  3 - 4   ) with the position of the display  102  remaining static (i.e., without drifting or sagging downward due to the weight of the display  102  pulling down on the support arm  104 ). A user can provide an input force oriented in a vertical direction to raise the display  102  relative to the stand  106 , as indicated by force F 1  in  FIG.  2   , or the user can provide a vertically-oriented input force F 2  to lower the display  102  relative to the stand  106 , as shown in  FIG.  4   . As the display  102  moves, it can travel through an arc-shaped path with a radius defined by the length of the support arm  104 . See  FIGS.  10 - 15    and their related descriptions below. 
       FIGS.  5 - 9    show views of a support arm  104  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The support arm  104  can comprise a housing  118  having a first end  120  and a second end  122 . The first end  120  can be positioned adjacent to the stand  106  (relative to the second end  122 ), and the second end  122  can be positioned adjacent to the display  102  (relative to the first end  120 ). The housing  118  can comprise a smooth, hard outer surface and can comprise a rigid material such as a rigid metal, ceramic, or plastic. The support arm  104  can comprise a generally elongated shape with flat side surfaces and curved end surfaces. In  FIGS.  5 - 9   , the support arm  104  is shown with some side surfaces of the housing  118  omitted in order to show internal components of the support arm  104 . 
     Within the housing  118 , the support arm  104  can comprise a first end support  124  positioned in the first end  120  and a second end support  126  positioned in the second end  122 . See  FIGS.  5 - 7   . The first end support  124  can be coupled to the stand  106  or another support surface external to the support arm  104 . The second end support  126  can be coupled to the display  102  or to a display mounting apparatus  128  positioned at the second end  122  of the housing  118 . The display mounting apparatus  128  can be attached to an intermediate display connector  130 . The intermediate display connector  130  can be an element configured to attach to the display  102 , such as a magnetic element that is magnetically attracted to the display  102  or an interlocking element configured to mechanically interlock with a portion of the display  102 . The housing  118  can be rotatable relative to the first and second end supports  124 ,  126  about a pair of pivot axes  132 ,  134  shown in  FIGS.  5 ,  6 , and  8   . 
     A first bar  136  and second bar  138  can be attached to pivot points  140 ,  142  on the first end support  124  and can be attached to pivot points  144 ,  146  on the second end support  126 . The first and second bars  136 ,  138  can be pivotable relative to their respective connected pivot points  140 ,  142 ,  144 ,  146 . The first and second bars  136 ,  138  can have equal lengths between the pivot points. For example, the first bar  136  can have a length between pivot points  140  and  144  that is equal to a length of the second bar  138  between pivot points  142 ,  146 . The first and second bars  136 ,  138  can be arranged parallel to each other in the lowered, horizontal, and raised positions (i.e., the positions of  FIGS.  10 ,  12 , and  14   , respectively). Accordingly, the distance between the pivot points  140 ,  142  on the first end support  124  can be equal to the distance between the pivot points  144 ,  146  on the second end support  126 . The four pivot points  140 ,  142  can therefore define corners of a quadrilateral parallelogram  148 , as shown in  FIGS.  10 ,  12 , and  14   . 
     An input force applied to the display  102  (e.g., F 1  or F 2 ) or to the support arm  104  can cause the first and second bars  136 ,  138  to rotate relative to the first end support  124  with axes of rotation through pivot points  140 ,  142 . The first and second bars  136 ,  138  are also rotatably attached to the second end support  126 , so the rotation of the bars  136 ,  138  at the first end support  124  also induces equal magnitude rotation at the second end support  126  about its associated pivot points  144 ,  146 . For this reason, a line extending through the first end support pivot points  140 ,  142  is always parallel to a line extending through the second end support pivot points  144 ,  146 . The parallel movement of the nearby pairs of pivot points  140 / 142 ,  144 / 146  ensures that the display  102  does not rotate relative to the display mounting apparatus  128  or the display connector  130  as the support arm  104  moves about the pivot axis  132  between the positions shown in  FIGS.  10 ,  12 , and  14   . The first end pivot points  140 ,  142  can be stationary relative to each other as the bars  136 ,  138  rotate, and the second end pivot points  144 ,  146  can also be stationary relative to each other as the bars  136 ,  138  rotate. In some embodiments, the display mounting apparatus  128  can rotate about the second pivot axis  134  independent of the housing  118  and independent of the second end support  126  in a manner that allows the display  102  to tilt without moving the support arm  104 . 
     The first and second bars  136 ,  138  can be referred to as being part of a four-bar linkage or a four-link, four-joint, closed-loop linkage. The first and second bars  136 ,  138  can be two of the links in the four-bar linkage, and the first and second end supports  124 ,  126  can be the remaining two links. The first and second bars  136 ,  138  can rotate without translating relative to each other, and the first and second end supports  124 ,  126  can translate relative to each other without rotating relative to each other. 
     The support arm  104  can comprise at least one four-bar linkage. In some embodiments, a four-bar linkage is positioned at different points within the housing  118 . For example, as shown in  FIGS.  4 ,  5 , and  7   , a third bar  150  and a fourth bar  152  can be provided in the housing  118  on a side opposite the first and second bars  136 ,  138 . In some embodiments, the multiple four-bar linkages can be constructed with entirely separate links or bars. In some cases, four-bar linkages can share links or bars, such as how the third and fourth bars  150 ,  152  are pivotally connected to the same first and second end supports  124 ,  126  as the first and second bars  136 ,  138 . See  FIGS.  5  and  7   . 
     The interior of the housing  118  can also comprise a counterbalance mechanism  154  (i.e., a counterbalance assembly or energy storage structure). The counterbalance mechanism  154  can comprise at least one energy storage device  156  and at least one yoke  158 . The counterbalance mechanism  154  can be configured to internally store or release potential energy as the potential energy of the display  102  changes in response to upward or downward movement. 
     The energy storage device  156  can comprise one or more springs (e.g., elastically compressible coils, gas springs, elastomeric materials, elastically extendable coils, gravitationally displaceable weights, cables, and pulleys, similar devices, and combinations thereof). In some embodiments, springs are positioned in a side-by-side configuration which can reduce the vertical thickness of the support arm  104  while still providing significant spring force and energy storage capacity. See energy storage device  160  in  FIG.  7   . 
     The energy storage device  156  can be positioned in the support arm  104  or external to the support arm (see  FIG.  20   ). The energy storage device  156  can store energy by being compressed, such as in the case of a compression spring, can store energy by being expanded, such as in the case of an extension spring, or can store energy by being moved, such as in the case of a displaceable weight. The counterbalance mechanism  154  can be configured to ensure that the amount of energy stored in the energy storage device  156  equals the energy lost by moving the display  102  downward and to ensure that the amount of energy lost from the energy storage device  156  equals the energy gained by moving the display  102  upward. 
     A compression spring is shown as the energy storage device  156  of  FIGS.  5 - 15   , and the spring is shown with maximum compression (i.e., minimum length along the length dimension of the support arm  104 ) in the lowered position shown in  FIG.  11   . The spring has less compression in the horizontal position shown in  FIG.  13   , and has minimum compression in the raised position shown in  FIG.  15   . Thus, the compression spring stores the most energy in the minimum-height lowered position and stores the least energy in the maximum-height raised position. 
     The rate of compression or expansion of the energy storage device  156  can be matched to simple harmonic motion of the mass of the display  102 . The energy storage device  156  can comprise linear springs with a constant spring rate to provide this behavior. See also  FIG.  21    and its related description below. 
     The energy storage device  156  can have its potential energy adjusted by operation of the yoke  158 . The yoke  158  can comprise a translatable block  162  engaging the energy storage device  156  and a counterbalance arm  164  to adjust the position of the block  162 . The counterbalance arm  164  can be mounted to the housing  118  at a counterbalance pivot point  166  and can have a follower  168  contacting a surface  170  (see  FIG.  8   ) of the block  162 . The follower  168  can be a roller or rounded surface such as a cam follower and can be configured to remain in constant contact with the surface  170 . The counterbalance arm  164  can also comprise an arm gear surface  172  configured to engage an end support gear surface  174  of the first end support  124 . The yoke  158  can be referred to as a Scotch yoke or a yoke mechanism configured to convert rotational motion of the counterbalance arm  164  into translation motion of the block  162 . 
     As the support arm  104  moves, the housing  118  rotates, thereby moving the counterbalance pivot point  166  relative to the pivot axis  132  that extends through the first end support  124 . See  FIG.  8   . The engagement of the gear surfaces  172 ,  174  causes the counterbalance arm  164  to rotate about the pivot point  166 , thereby driving the follower  168  through an arc-shaped path about the pivot point  166 . The longitudinal position of the follower  168  (i.e., the position of the follower along the longitudinal axis L (see  FIG.  11   ) of the housing  118 ) therefore changes as the housing  118  rotates. At the minimum lowered position of the support arm  104 , the follower  168  is at a maximum longitudinal displacement away from the pivot axis  132 , as shown in  FIG.  11   . At the maximum raised position of the support arm  104 , the follower  168  is at a minimum longitudinal displacement from the pivot axis  132 , as shown in  FIG.  15   . Due to the arc-shaped path of the follower  168  moving around the pivot point  166 , the rate of change of the longitudinal distance between the follower  168  and the pivot axis  132  is lower per degree of rotation of the support arm  104  while the support arm  104  is in a lowered position as compared to the rate of change of the longitudinal distance per degree of rotation of the support arm  104  between the follower  168  and the pivot axis  132  while the support arm  104  is in a raised position. This rate of change is reflected in the periodic, sine-wave-like curvature of the spring potential energy curve  2104  of  FIG.  21   . 
     The energy storage device  156  can bias the translatable block  162  toward the pivot axis  132 . Therefore, the movement of the follower  168  along the longitudinal axis of the housing  118  toward the pivot axis  132  allows the energy storage device  156  to expand, and movement of the follower  168  toward pivot axis  134  can compress the energy storage device  156 . Expansion of the energy storage device  156  can release its potential energy, and its compression can store potential energy. The spring characteristics of the energy storage device  156  can be designed to ensure that a change in potential energy of the energy storage device  156  caused by rotation of the support arm  104  precisely offsets the change in potential energy caused by vertical movement of the mass of the display  102  (and any other components attached to it that also move vertically). See also  FIG.  21    and its associated descriptions herein. 
     The gear ratio between arm gear surface  172  and support gear surface  174  can be designed to provide a 2:1 ratio of angular displacement of the support arm  104  about pivot axis  132  to angular displacement of the counterbalance arm  164  about counterbalance pivot point  166 . For example, as shown in  FIG.  11   , the support arm  104  can have a longitudinal axis L positioned at an angle A 1  relative to a horizontal axis X, and the counterbalance arm  164  can have an axis P through the counterbalance pivot point  166  and the center of the follower  168  oriented at an angle B 1  relative to an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis L. In various embodiments, the axis P can extend through pivot point  166  and through another single point in the counterbalance arm  164 . Angle A 1  indicates the support arm  104  is at about a 45-degree angle below the horizontal axis X, and angle B 1  indicates that the follower  168  is at about a 30-degree angle relative to the horizontal axis X. 
     In the horizontal configuration of  FIG.  13   , the support arm  104  has rotated its longitudinal axis L to about a zero-degree offset from the horizontal axis X, and angle B 2  has increased in magnitude to about 52.5 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis L. Thus, the angle A 1  has increased from about negative 45 degrees to about zero degrees, and the angle B 1  has increased by about 22.5 degrees in response. The about 22.5-degree change to B 2  is about one-half of the amount of angular displacement of the longitudinal axis L. 
     In the raised configuration of  FIG.  15   , the support arm  104  has rotated its longitudinal axis L to about a 45-degree angle A 2  above the horizontal axis X, and angle B 3  has increased to about 75 degrees. Accordingly, each degree of angular displacement of the longitudinal axis L of the support arm  104  correlates with about one-half of a degree of angular displacement of the axis P which extends through the counterbalance pivot point  166  and another stationary point on the counterbalance arm  164 . The rate of rotation of the support arm  104  can be double the rate of rotation of axis P. 
     The block  162  of the yoke  158  can translate within the housing  118  as driven by the energy storage device  156  or the counterbalance arm  164 . As shown in  FIGS.  5 ,  7 ,  8 , and  9   , the block  162  can comprise laterally-extending axles  176  that fit into a longitudinally-elongated slot  178 . The longitudinally-oriented slot  178  can be formed in a block that is part of, and stationary relative to, the housing  118 . Accordingly, as the support arm  104  rotates as shown in  FIGS.  10 - 15   , the axles  176  can be guided along the slot  178  to limit rotation of the block  162  relative to the housing  118  or energy storage device  156 . The axles  176  can constrain the block  162  to translate along the longitudinal axis L that extends through pivot axes  132 ,  134 . In some embodiments, the axles  176  can comprise wheels, rollers, or similar devices to reduce friction between the axles  176  and the slot  178 . In some embodiments, axles  176  extend laterally in opposite directions from the block  162  and into two slots  178  positioned on opposite sides of the block  162 . 
     The range of angular displacement of the support arm  104  can be limited by contact between the housing  118  and a surface external to the housing  118 , such as by contact between the housing  118  and the stand  106  or between the housing  118  and the display connector  130  or display  102 . In some embodiments, the range of angular displacement can be limited by contact between parts moving within the support arm  104 . For example, as shown in  FIG.  9   , the support arm  104  can comprise an angle limiting block  180  that is configured to rotate with the housing  118  about the first pivot axis  132  and rotates relative to the first end support  124 . The angle limiting block  180  can have first and second side surfaces  182 ,  184  configured to come into contact with corresponding surfaces of the first end support  124  when the angle limiting block  180  is rotated to respective predetermined maximum and minimum angles relative to the horizontal axis X. 
     Angle C illustrates how the second side surface  184  is oriented at an angle relative to the horizontal axis X. As the support arm  104  rotates downward (e.g., to the position of  FIG.  10   ), the second side surface  184  rotates relative to the pivot axis  132  until it contacts the first end support  124  and thereby prevents further downward rotation of the housing  118  relative to the first end support  124 . The first side surface  182  performs a similar function for upward rotation. The angle C and the distance between second side surface  184  and the first end support  124  can be designed to define the desired range of downward angular displacement, and a similar angle and distance can be designed to define the range of upward angular displacement. An angle between the two side surfaces  182 ,  184  can define a total range of angular displacement of the support arm  104 . 
     Limiting angular displacement using the angle limiting block  180  can prevent contact between the housing  118  and the stand  106  or display  102 , thereby reducing the chance that they will scratch or dent each other. It can also provide a predetermined amount of gap space or offset between the stand  106  and the display  102 , which can beneficially improve air circulation and cable routing through the gap or offset. 
       FIGS.  16 - 19    show another embodiment of a support arm  1604  that can be used in a similar manner to support arm  104 . In these figures, elements with similar numbering can serve similar functions to elements of the embodiment of  FIGS.  1 - 15   .  FIG.  16    is a side section view of the support arm  1604  in a lowered position with a side panel of the housing  1618  with the top and bottom side bars  1636 ,  1638  removed to expose internal components (one opposite top side bar  1686  is shown in  FIG.  18   ).  FIG.  17    is a side view of the support arm  1604  in a horizontal position, and  FIG.  19    is a side view of the support arm  1604  in a raised position.  FIG.  18    shows an isometric view of the support arm  1604  in the horizontal position with side and top portions of the housing  1618  and side bars  1636 ,  1638  omitted. 
     The support arm  1604  can comprise at least one four-bar linkage to control parallel motion of the display  102  relative to the stand  106 . Thus, the support arm  1604  can operate similar to the support arm  104  as shown in  FIGS.  10 ,  12 , and  14   .  FIGS.  16 - 19    therefore show features of a counterbalance mechanism  1658  within the support arm  1604 . The counterbalance mechanism  1658  can include a four-bar linkage within the four-bar linkage guiding movement of the display  102 . At least one energy storage device  1656  can be positioned in the housing  1618  and can be coupled with a counterbalance block  1662  and a second end support  1626 . The block  1662  can be translatable within the housing  1618  in response to forces applied by the energy storage device  1656  and a counterbalance linkage including a counterbalance arm  1664  and a conversion arm  1688 . The counterbalance arm  1664  can be pivotally connected to the housing  1618  at a counterbalance pivot point  1666  and can contact the block  1662  at a follower  1668 . The conversion arm  1688  can be pivotally connected to the first end support  1624  at an end support pivot point  1690  and to the counterbalance arm  1664  at an arm pivot point  1692 . The pivot points  1666 ,  1690 ,  1692  and the pivot axis of the housing  1618  relative to the first end support  1624  can form joints of a four-bar linkage within the support arm  1604 . The housing  1618 , first end support  1624 , counterbalance arm  1664 , and conversion arm  1688  can be the links of the four-bar linkage of the counterbalance mechanism. 
     Energy storage device  1656  can store or release potential energy as the block  1662  translates along the longitudinal axis of the support arm  1604 . The counterbalance arm  1664  can have its rotation driven by the conversion arm  1688  rather than by gear interaction such as described above with respect to other embodiments. As shown in  FIGS.  16 - 19   , as the support arm  1604  rotates, the housing  1618  rotates relative to the first end support  1624 . Because the counterbalance arm  1664  is attached to the housing  1618  at pivot point  1666 , the counterbalance arm  1664  moves with the housing  1618  relative to the first end support  1624 . The distance between the counterbalance pivot point  1666  and the end support pivot point  1690  changes as the housing  1618  moves, so the conversion arm  1688  rotates relative to the first end support  1624 . The counterbalance arm  1664  also simultaneously rotates about the counterbalance pivot point  1666  due to the attachment at arm pivot point  1692 . The distances between various pivot points  1666 ,  1690 ,  1692  and the follower  1668  can provide a 2:1 ratio of angular displacement of the housing  1618  to angular displacement of an axis through the counterbalance pivot point  1666  and another point on the counterbalance arm  1664  (e.g., the follower  1668 ) or through another two consistent points on the counterbalance arm  1664 . 
     For example, as shown in  FIG.  16   , an axis through the arm pivot point  1692  and the follower  1668  is about parallel to a longitudinal axis of the housing  1618 . After about 90 degrees of upward rotation of the housing  1618 , as shown in  FIG.  19   , the same axis through follower  1668  and pivot point  1692  is at about a 45-degree angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the housing  1618 . This ratio of conversion can control the amount of translation of the block  1662  along the longitudinal axis of the housing  1618  and can therefore control the change in potential energy of the energy storage device  1656  as needed to offset the change in potential energy of a mass of a connected display  102 . See also  FIG.  21    and its related descriptions herein. 
     In some embodiments, the first end support  1624  can comprise angular displacement limiting features. The conversion arm  1688  can be positioned in a recess  1694  in the first end support  1624  having a lower side surface  1696  and an upper side surface  1698 . The lower and upper side surfaces  1696 ,  1698  can contact the conversion arm  1688  at respective minimum and maximum rotated positions of the housing  1618 , as shown in  FIGS.  16  and  19   . Thus, an angle formed by the lower and upper side surfaces  1696 ,  1698  can define the range of motion of the conversion arm  1688  and can therefore can define a range of motion of the entire support arm  1604 . The interference between the conversion arm  1688  and the side surfaces  1696 ,  1698  can prevent the counterbalance arm  1664  and its attached housing  1618  from moving. 
       FIG.  20    illustrates a further embodiment of a support system  2000  in which a display  2002  is mounted to a stand  2006  by a linkage  2004  having a counterbalance mechanism  2008  external to the linkage  2004  and within the stand  2006 . Elements having similar names in this embodiment can serve similar functions to the other embodiments described herein. 
     The linkage  2004  can be a four-bar, parallelogram-shaped linkage with four pivot points  2010 ,  2012 ,  2014 ,  2016 . In this embodiment, the housing of the display  2002  provides a part of the four-bar configuration that links pivot points  2010  and  2012 . The housing of the stand  2006  provides a part of the four-bar configuration linking pivot points  2014  and  2016 . In some embodiments, separate bars can link points  2010 / 2012  and  2014 / 2016  respectively, and those separate bars can be mounted to the display  2002  or stand  2006  (e.g., similar to first and second end supports  124 ,  126 ). Accordingly, the display  2002  can move parallel to the vertical axis of the stand  2006  since a line through points  2010  and  2012  is parallel to a line through points  2014  and  2016  as the first and second bars  2020 ,  2022  of linkage  2004  rotate. 
     The counterbalance mechanism  2008  can have a conversion arm  2023  linked to at least one of the first and second bars  2020 ,  2022  at a pivot point  2024  on one of the bars. The conversion arm  2023  can be pivotally attached to a counterbalance arm  2026  at an arm pivot point  2025 . The counterbalance arm  2026  can be pivotally attached to a housing of the stand  2006  at a counterbalance pivot point  2028  and can have a follower  2030  portion engaging a translatable block  2032  positioned within the stand  2006 . The block  2032  is in contact with an energy storage device  2034 , and the energy storage device  2034  is constrained at one end  2036 . 
     As the linkage  2004  rotates the bars  2020 ,  2022 , the pivot point  2024  can move along an arc-shaped path about pivot point  2014 . The movement of pivot point  2024  drives rotation of the arm pivot point  2025  and the counterbalance arm  2026  about the counterbalance pivot point  2028 . The rotation of the counterbalance arm  2026  induces vertical movement of the follower  2030 , thereby compressing or expanding the energy storage device  2034  while the bottom end  2036  remains stationary relative to the stand  2006 . Accordingly, this embodiment shows how a four-bar linkage  2004  can support and guide movement of the display  2002 , and a Scotch yoke-type counterbalance can be positioned external to the linkage  2004 . 
       FIG.  21    provides a plot  2100  of energy versus arm angle according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The arm angle can be defined as the angle of a support arm (e.g.,  104  or  1604 ) relative to a horizontal direction (e.g., horizontal axis X). The gravity potential energy  2102  can be defined as potential energy of the mass of a display and any other connected parts of the support assembly that varies with movement of the support arm. As defined herein, the gravity potential energy  2102  is zero when the support arm is horizontal. Gravity potential energy increases as the support arm is raised, and it lowers as the support arm is lowered. 
     In order to ensure smooth and low-required-effort operation of the support arm, the potential energy  2104  of the spring or other energy storage device in the system can be controlled, via a counterbalance mechanism, to have a magnitude that changes at the same but opposite rate as the gravity potential energy  2102 . Accordingly, the system energy  2106 , which represents the sum of the gravity potential energy  2102  and the spring potential energy  2104  at all arm angles, can remain constant as the arm is rotated. As a result, very little input force is required to change the potential energy (i.e., the vertical position) of the display because the spring potential energy provides supplemental energy to assist in rotation of the support arm as the display moves. The changes in the gravity and spring potential energy can correlate in magnitude with the simple harmonic motion of the mass of the display and connected moving components. 
     To the extent applicable to the present technology, gathering and use of data available from various sources can be used to improve the delivery to users of invitational content or any other content that may be of interest to them. The present disclosure contemplates that in some instances, this gathered data may include personal information data that uniquely identifies or can be used to contact or locate a specific person. Such personal information data can include demographic data, location-based data, telephone numbers, email addresses, TWITTER® ID&#39;s, home addresses, data or records relating to a user&#39;s health or level of fitness (e.g., vital signs measurements, medication information, exercise information), date of birth, or any other identifying or personal information. 
     The present disclosure recognizes that the use of such personal information data, in the present technology, can be used to the benefit of users. For example, the personal information data can be used to deliver targeted content that is of greater interest to the user. Accordingly, use of such personal information data enables users to calculated control of the delivered content. Further, other uses for personal information data that benefit the user are also contemplated by the present disclosure. For instance, health and fitness data may be used to provide insights into a user&#39;s general wellness, or may be used as positive feedback to individuals using technology to pursue wellness goals. 
     The present disclosure contemplates that the entities responsible for the collection, analysis, disclosure, transfer, storage, or other use of such personal information data will comply with well-established privacy policies and/or privacy practices. In particular, such entities should implement and consistently use privacy policies and practices that are generally recognized as meeting or exceeding industry or governmental requirements for maintaining personal information data private and secure. Such policies should be easily accessible by users, and should be updated as the collection and/or use of data changes. Personal information from users should be collected for legitimate and reasonable uses of the entity and not shared or sold outside of those legitimate uses. Further, such collection/sharing should occur after receiving the informed consent of the users. Additionally, such entities should consider taking any needed steps for safeguarding and securing access to such personal information data and ensuring that others with access to the personal information data adhere to their privacy policies and procedures. Further, such entities can subject themselves to evaluation by third parties to certify their adherence to widely accepted privacy policies and practices. In addition, policies and practices should be adapted for the particular types of personal information data being collected and/or accessed and adapted to applicable laws and standards, including jurisdiction-specific considerations. For instance, in the US, collection of or access to certain health data may be governed by federal and/or state laws, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA); whereas health data in other countries may be subject to other regulations and policies and should be handled accordingly. Hence different privacy practices should be maintained for different personal data types in each country. 
     Despite the foregoing, the present disclosure also contemplates embodiments in which users selectively block the use of, or access to, personal information data. That is, the present disclosure contemplates that hardware and/or software elements can be provided to prevent or block access to such personal information data. For example, in the case of advertisement delivery services, the present technology can be configured to allow users to select to “opt in” or “opt out” of participation in the collection of personal information data during registration for services or anytime thereafter. In another example, users can select not to provide mood-associated data for targeted content delivery services. In yet another example, users can select to limit the length of time mood-associated data is maintained or entirely prohibit the development of a baseline mood profile. In addition to providing “opt in” and “opt out” options, the present disclosure contemplates providing notifications relating to the access or use of personal information. For instance, a user may be notified upon downloading an app that their personal information data will be accessed and then reminded again just before personal information data is accessed by the app. 
     Moreover, it is the intent of the present disclosure that personal information data should be managed and handled in a way to minimize risks of unintentional or unauthorized access or use. Risk can be minimized by limiting the collection of data and deleting data once it is no longer needed. In addition, and when applicable, including in certain health related applications, data de-identification can be used to protect a user&#39;s privacy. De-identification may be facilitated, when appropriate, by removing specific identifiers (e.g., date of birth, etc.), controlling the amount or specificity of data stored (e.g., collecting location data a city level rather than at an address level), controlling how data is stored (e.g., aggregating data across users), and/or other methods. 
     Therefore, although the present disclosure broadly covers use of personal information data to implement one or more various disclosed embodiments, the present disclosure also contemplates that the various embodiments can also be implemented without the need for accessing such personal information data. That is, the various embodiments of the present technology are not rendered inoperable due to the lack of all or a portion of such personal information data. For example, content can be selected and delivered to users by inferring preferences based on non-personal information data or a bare minimum amount of personal information, such as the content being requested by the device associated with a user, other non-personal information available to the content delivery services, or publicly available information. 
     The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the described embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the specific details are not required in order to practice the described embodiments. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of the specific embodiments described herein are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not target to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise forms disclosed. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20220719
Publication Date: 20231017
Grant Date: 20231017
Priority Date: 20190531
Inventors: LAURENT, KRISTOPHER P.
DEGNER, BRETT W.
MCBROOM, Danny L.
NARAJOWSKI, DAVID H.
SWEET, EDWARD T.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "F16H21/10", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "F16M11/046", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "F16M11/10", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "F16M11/2021", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1601", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K5/0017", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K5/0204", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K5/0217", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K5/0234", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "F16M2200/063", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "F16M11/18", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1601", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "F16H21/10", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "F16M11/10", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "F16M11/04", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "F16M11/046", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K5/0017", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1601", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K5/0234", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K5/0217", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K5/0204", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "F16M11/10", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "F16M11/046", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "F16M11/2021", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "F16M2200/063", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 73550238