Abstract: The display supporting apparatus includes a base, a first arm, a second arm, and a display attachment bracket designed to be fixedly securable or attachable to a display. The display support apparatus further includes a mechanism for providing a constant orientation in relation to the base for the plane bisecting the range of rotation of the second arm about the pivot axis between the first arm and the second arm even as the first arm moves pivotally relative to the base.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 28, 2015
Date of Patent:
September 3, 2019
Assignee:
Southco, Inc.
Inventors:
Nicholas Paul Bennett, Stuart Kevan Buckland
Abstract: Striker assemblies and latch assemblies are disclosed. One striker assembly includes a housing, a striker, and a spring. The housing has opposed sidewalls, each of which defines an aperture. The striker extends between the sidewalls of the housing with end portions of the striker positioned within respective apertures defined in the sidewalls. Each of the pair of end portions defines a surface extending in a transverse direction. The spring has a pair of end portions. Each spring end portion contacts the surface of a respective striker end portion. The spring is engaged with the housing to bias the end portions of the striker toward a centered position of the respective apertures. At least one of the end portions of the striker is movable transversely within the respective aperture away from the centered position of the respective aperture and is biased toward the centered position of the respective aperture.
Type:
Application
Filed:
June 28, 2017
Publication date:
August 15, 2019
Applicant:
Southco, Inc.
Inventors:
Matthew Butler Frame, Brandon Vaughan Hastings, Richard B. Langkamp, Jr., Ismael Rodriguez
Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling electro-mechanical (EM) latches. An EM latch may be controlled by receiving dynamic key information from a smart device and static access card information from an access card. A signal generator sends a signal to actuate the EM latch upon verification of the dynamic key information or static access card information. The smart device may be associated with a single user or with multiple users.
Abstract: An adjustable headrest 300 includes a guide 360 configured to be coupled to a seat, a head support 302 coupled to the guide and configured to be movable along an adjustment path relative to the seat, and a slider 370 having a surface defining a recess 373 receiving the guide such that the surface of the slider contacts a surface of the guide. The adjustment headrest further includes a retainer 390 positioned to urge the surface of the slider against the surface of the guide, thereby maintaining friction between the surface of the slider and the surface of the guide and resisting unintended movement of the slider with respect to the guide along the adjustment path. Also, a friction module and a friction hinge are provided, which can be incorporated into an adjustable headrest or other assemblies in which sliding and/or hinged components are desired.
Abstract: A latch mechanism is provided that includes a housing, a cap, and at least one indicator. The cap may include a central axis and may be mounted for selective rotational movement relative to the housing about the central axis between a latched position and an unlatched position. The at least one indicator may be interposed between the cap and the housing, such that the cap is in covering relationship to at least a portion of the at least one indicator. The at least one indicator may also be mounted for radial movement outwardly from the central axis relative to the cap as the cap is rotated from the latched position to the unlatched position such that the cap is no longer in covering relationship to the portion of the at least one indicator.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 12, 2017
Date of Patent:
June 25, 2019
Assignee:
Southco, Inc.
Inventors:
Brandon V. Hastings, Richard B. Langkamp, Jr., Tommy Vu Phi Nguyen
Abstract: Cable splitter devices, assemblies, and methods of use are disclosed. A cable splitter device is disclosed. A cable splitter assembly includes a housing, a slider, first cables, and second cables. The housing defines a first number of first slots and a second number of second slots different from the first number. The slider is slidably coupled to the housing. The slider defines the first number of first channels and the second number of second channels. The first cables extend through the first number of first slots and have an end positioned within a respective first channel of the slider. The second cables extend through the second number of second slots and have an end positioned within a respective second channel of the slider. A clipping element may be configured to fix a longitudinal position of a respective first cable at multiple different locations along the first channel.
Abstract: A latch for capturing a striker includes a latch cam, a trigger, a drive cam, a motor coupled to the drive cam, and a switch coupled to the motor. The latch cam is biased to rotate toward an open position and configured to capture the striker in a closed position. The drive cam uses at least one cam surface to contact the trigger, and the switch permits actuation of the motor to rotate the drive cam when sensing the trigger or the drive cam, thereby rotating the drive cam to urge the trigger toward an unlocked position, disengage the trigger from the latch cam, and allow the latch cam to rotate from the closed position toward the open position. A system incorporating the latch and method of capturing a striker is also provided.
Abstract: A pivot device having asymmetric friction torque is provided. The pivot device includes a shaft extending along a longitudinal axis, a sleeve surrounding the shaft, the sleeve defining a gap extending longitudinally, the sleeve and the shaft being configured for rotation with respect to one another about the longitudinal axis, and a helical compression element surrounding the sleeve and exerting a compressive force onto the sleeve, wherein a first torque required to rotate the sleeve and the shaft with respect to one another in a first direction differs from a second torque required to rotate the sleeve and the shaft with respect to one another in a second direction opposite to the first direction. A method for providing a pivot device asymmetric friction torque is also provided.
Abstract: Aspects of the present invention provide a display support arm assembly that includes a proximal housing supporting at least one proximal shaft, a distal housing spaced from the proximal housing and supporting at least one distal shaft, and at least one link extending from the at least one proximal shaft to the at least one distal shaft. The at least one link is coupled for pivotal movement about an axis of the at least one proximal shaft. The display support assembly also includes a gas strut extending between the proximal housing and the distal housing. The gas strut provides substantially constant force throughout a range of the vertical adjustment of the display support arm. The display support assembly further includes at least one torque element associated with either or both of the at least one proximal shaft and the at least one distal shaft.
Type:
Application
Filed:
March 7, 2017
Publication date:
March 21, 2019
Applicant:
Southco, Inc.
Inventors:
Glenn Eric ANDERSON, Benjamin Gerald LINDO, Richard B. LANGKAMP, Jr.
Abstract: A latch mechanism is provided having a housing, a cap, and at least one indicator. The housing may include a first top surface. The cap may include a second top surface and may be mounted for selective rotational movement relative to the housing between a latched position and an unlatched position. The at least one indicator may be interposed between the cap and the housing and mounted for axial movement relative to the cap. As the cap is rotated from the latched position to the unlatched position, at least a portion of the indicator is axially displaced to an extended position above at least one of the first and second top surfaces.
Abstract: Ejector latch assemblies for securing a board within a frame and a computer assembly using the ejector latch assembly are disclosed. An ejector latch assembly includes a base and a handle pivotably coupled to the base. The handle includes a first handle segment, a second handle segment and a release structure. The first handle segment is coupled to the base. The base is coupled to a board. The first handle segment is pivotable relative to the base between a closed and an open position. The first handle segment is coupled to the second handle segment. The second handle portion is pivotable relative to the first handle segment between an extended and a retracted position. The release structure is movable between an engaged and a released position. When in the engaged position, the release structure prevents pivoting of the second handle segment relative to the first handle segment.