Monitor Support Device

Abstract

A monitor support device includes a base, an upright rod that projects upwardly from the base, a first support arm that is pivotable about and movable along the upright rod and that is adapted for supporting a monitor thereon, and a second support arm that is pivotable about the upright rod, that is movable relative to the first support arm along the upright rod, and that is adapted for supporting another monitor thereon.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority of Taiwanese Application No. 096219749, filed on Nov. 22, 2007.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a monitor support device, more particularly to a monitor support device that can support a plurality of monitors thereon.

2. Description of the Related Art

Operating system software generally has a function of supporting multiple monitors. When using the operating system software with multiple monitors, these monitors are placed adjacent to each other in front of a user. However, if the user changes his position and each of these monitors is supported individually on a monitor stand, the user has to adjust the positions or orientations of the monitors separately, which is time-consuming and inconvenient.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a conventional monitor support device 9 includes a base 91, an upright rod 92 projecting upwardly from the base 91, a support arm 93 pivotable about the upright rod 92, and a pair of monitor engaging members 94. The support arm 93 is formed with a pair of horizontal slots 931 at opposite parts thereof with respect to the upright rod 92. Each of the monitor engaging members 94 engages slidably a respective one of the horizontal slots 931, and has a sliding part 941 extending slidably through the respective one of the horizontal slots 931, and a rotatable part 942 connected to and rotatable relative to the sliding part 941 and adapted for mounting a monitor 8 thereon. In use, the user can adjust the positions and orientations of the monitors 8 simultaneously by rotating the support arm 93 about the upright rod 92. Moreover, the user can rotate the rotatable part 942 of one of the monitor engaging members 94 to adjust the orientation of the monitor 8 mounted thereon relative to that of the monitor 8 mounted on the other one of the monitor engaging members 94.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide a monitor support device that is capable of supporting a plurality of monitors thereon, and that permits adjustment of positions and orientations of the monitors.

Accordingly, a monitor support device of the present invention comprises a base, an upright rod that projects upwardly from the base, a first support arm that is pivotable about and movable along the upright rod and that is adapted for supporting a monitor thereon, and a second support arm that is pivotable about the upright rod, that is movable relative to the first support arm along the upright rod, and that is adapted for supporting another monitor thereon.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 is a rear view of a conventional monitor support device;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the conventional monitor support device;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of a monitor support device according to the invention;

FIG. 4 is an assembled perspective view of the first preferred embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a front view of the first preferred embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a top view of the first preferred embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the first preferred embodiment when supporting a pair of monitors thereon; and

FIG. 8 is an assembled perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of the monitor support device according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Before the present invention is described in greater detail, it should be noted that like elements are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the disclosure.

As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 5, and 7, the first preferred embodiment of a monitor support device according to the present invention comprises a base 1, an upright rod 2 that projects upwardly from the base 1, a first support arm 3 that is pivotable about and movable along the upright rod 2 and that is adapted for supporting a monitor 11 thereon, and a second support arm 4 that is pivotable about the upright rod 2, that is movable relative to the first support arm 3 along the upright rod 2, and that is adapted for supporting another monitor 11 thereon.

The first support arm 3 has a first pivot portion 31 formed at one end thereof and connected pivotally and movably to the upright rod 2, and a first extending portion 32 extending horizontally from the first pivot portion 31. In this embodiment, the first pivot portion 31 has a first surrounding wall 311 made of a flexible material and surrounding the upright rod 2. The first surrounding wall 311 has a first initial section 313 connected to the first extending portion 32, a first end section 314 spaced slightly apart from the first initial section 313, and a first intermediate section 315 interconnecting the first initial section 313 and the first end section 314 and defining a first rod hole 312 through which the upright rod 2 extends.

The second support arm 4 has a second pivot portion 41 formed at one end thereof and connected pivotally and movably to the upright rod 2, and a second extending portion 42 extending horizontally from the second pivot portion 41. In this embodiment, the second pivot portion 41 has a second surrounding wall 411 made of a flexible material and surrounding the upright rod 2. The second surrounding wall 411 has a second initial section 413 connected to the second extending portion 42, a second end section 414 spaced slightly apart from the second initial section 413, and a second intermediate section 415 interconnecting the second initial section 413 and the second end section 414 and defining a second rod hole 412 through which the upright rod 2 extends.

The first pivot portion 31 of the first support arm 3 is provided with a first locking component 61 extending through the first initial section 313 and the first end section 314 of the first surrounding wall 311, and movable between an unlocking position (not shown), where the first surrounding wall 311 is permitted to move along the upright rod 2, and a locking position (see FIGS. 5 and 6), where the first locking component 61 draws the first end section 314 toward the first initial section 313 so as to constrict the first rod hole 312, such that the first surrounding wall 311 is secured on the upright rod 2 due to friction between the first surrounding wall 311 and the upright rod 2.

The second pivot portion 41 of the second support arm 4 is provided with a second locking component 62 extending through the second initial section 413 and the second end section 414 of the second surrounding wall 411, and movable between an unlocking position (not shown), where the second surrounding wall 411 is permitted to move along the upright rod 2, and a locking position (see FIGS. 5 and 6), where the second locking component 62 draws the second end section 414 toward the second initial section 413 so as to constrict the second rod hole 412, such that the second surrounding wall 411 is secured on the upright rod 2 due to friction between the second surrounding wall 411 and the upright rod 2. In this embodiment, each of the first and second locking components 61, 62 is a screw, but may be other types of fasteners that can constrict the first and second rod holes 312, 412 in other embodiments of this invention.

In this embodiment, the first surrounding wall 311 of the first pivot portion 31 of the first support arm 3 has a bottom surface 316, and the second surrounding wall 411 of the second pivot portion 41 of the second support arm 4 is disposed below the first surrounding wall 311 and has a top surface 416 that confronts the bottom surface 316. The bottom surface 316 of the first surrounding wall 311 is formed with a first engaging block 34 protruding therefrom. The top surface 416 of the second surrounding wall 411 is formed with a second engaging block 44 protruding therefrom. The bottom surface 316 is further formed with a first engaging groove 33 angularly spaced apart from the first engaging block 34 and having an arc length longer than that of the second engaging block 44. The top surface 416 is further formed with a second engaging groove 43 angularly spaced apart from the second engaging block 44 and having an arc length longer than that of the first engaging block 34. Therefore, when the first pivot portion 31 of the first support arm 3 and the second pivot portion 41 of the second support arm 4 are moved along the upright rod 2 to be coupled together, the first engaging groove 33 receives slidably the second engaging block 44 therein, while the second engaging groove 43 receives slidably the first engaging block 34 therein, such that an angle formed between the first and second support arms 3, 4 is limited, thereby avoiding damage to the monitors 11 that are mounted thereon by preventing collision between the monitors 11 when the first and second support arms 3, 4 are pivoted about the upright rod 2.

The monitor support device of the first preferred embodiment further comprises a pair of collars 7 made of a material that is softer than those of the upright rod 2 and the first and the second surrounding walls 311, 411. One of the collars 7 is disposed between the first surrounding wall 311 of the first pivot portion 31 of the first support arm 3 and the upright rod 2 for enhancing friction between the first surrounding wall 311 and the upright rod 2 when the first locking component 61 is at the locking position. The other one of the collars 7 is disposed between the second surrounding wall 411 of the second pivot portion 41 of the second support arm 4 and the upright rod 2 for enhancing friction between the second surrounding wall 411 and the upright rod 2 when the second locking component 62 is at the locking position.

Referring to FIGS. 3, 4 and 6, the first extending portion 32 of the first support arm 3 is formed with a first elongated slot 321 that extends horizontally, and the second extending portion 42 of the second support arm 4 is formed with a second elongated slot 421 that extends horizontally. The monitor support device of the first preferred embodiment further comprises a pair of monitor engaging components 5, each of which engages slidably a respective one of the first and second elongated slots 321, 421. In this embodiment, each of the monitor engaging components 5 has a sliding part 51 extending slidably through the respective one of the first and second elongated slots 321, 421, and a rotatable part 52 connected to and rotatable relative to the sliding part 51 and adapted for mounting the monitor 11 thereon.

In this embodiment, the monitor support device further comprises a limiting component 21 sleeved securely on the upright rod 2 under the first surrounding wall 311 of the first pivot portion 31 of the first support arm 3. The limiting component 21 has a diameter larger than that of each of the first rod hole 312 in the first support arm 3 and the second rod hole 412 in the second support arm 4 so as to limit the lowermost positions of the first and second support arms 3, 4 along the upright rod 2.

The monitor support device of the first preferred embodiment further comprises a cable organizing member 22 coupled detachably on the upright rod 2 under the limiting component 21.

Compared to the conventional monitor support device 9 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first and second support arms 3, 4 can be moved separately along the upright rod 2, so that the monitors 11 mounted thereon can be secured at different heights relative to the base 1. Moreover, the orientations of the monitors 11 can be individually adjusted through pivoting movements of the first and second support arms 3, 4 and rotary movements of the rotatable parts 52 of the monitor engaging components 5. Therefore, the monitor support device of this embodiment offers greater flexibility during use.

As shown in FIG. 8, the second preferred embodiment of the monitor support device according to the present invention has a structure similar to that of the first embodiment. The main difference between this embodiment and the previous embodiment resides in the following. In this embodiment, the monitor support device further comprises a third support arm 300 identical in structure to the first support arm 3, and a fourth support arm 400 identical in structure to the second support arm 4. The third support arm 300 is pivotable about and movable along the upright rod 2 above the first and second support arms 3, 4. The fourth support arm 400 is pivotable about the upright rod 2 above the first and second support arms 3, 4 and is movable relative to the third support arm 300. The monitor support device of this embodiment further comprises a pair of monitor engaging components 500 that engage slidably and respectively the third and fourth support arms 300, 400. The second preferred embodiment further enhances the flexibility during use.

While the present invention has been described in connection with what are considered the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements.

Claims

1. A monitor support device comprising:

a base;

an upright rod projecting upwardly from said base;

a first support arm pivotable about and movable along said upright rod, and adapted for supporting a monitor thereon; and

a second support arm pivotable about said upright rod, movable relative to said first support arm along said upright rod, and adapted for supporting another monitor thereon.

2. The monitor support device as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said first support arm has a first pivot portion formed at one end thereof and connected pivotally and movably to said upright rod, and a first extending portion extending horizontally from said first pivot portion; and

said second support arm has a second pivot portion formed at one end thereof and connected pivotally and movably to said upright rod, and a second extending portion extending horizontally from said second pivot portion.

3. The monitor support device as claimed in claim 2, wherein:

said first pivot portion of said first support arm has a first surrounding wall made of a flexible material, surrounding said upright rod, and defining a first rod hole through which said upright rod extends, said first pivot portion being provided with a first locking component movable between an unlocking position, where said first surrounding wall is permitted to move along said upright rod, and a locking position so as to constrict said first rod hole such that said first surrounding wall is secured on said upright rod; and

said second pivot portion of said second support arm has a second surrounding wall made of a flexible material, surrounding said upright rod, and defining a second rod hole through which said upright rod extends, said second pivot portion being provided with a second locking component movable between an unlocking position, where said second surrounding wall is permitted to move along said upright rod, and a locking position so as to constrict said second rod hole such that said second surrounding wall is secured on said upright rod.

4. The monitor support device as claimed in claim 3, wherein:

said first surrounding wall of said first pivot portion of said first support arm has a first initial section connected to said first extending portion of said first support arm, a first end section spaced slightly apart from said first initial section, and a first intermediate section interconnecting said first initial section and said first end section and defining said first rod hole;

said first locking component extends through said first initial section and said first end section, and draws said first end section toward said first initial section when moved from the unlocking position to the locking position so as to constrict said first rod hole;

said second surrounding wall of said second pivot portion of said second support arm has a second initial section connected to said second extending portion of said second support arm, a second end section spaced slightly apart from said second initial section, and a second intermediate section interconnecting said second initial section and said second end section and defining said second rod hole; and

said second locking component extends through said second initial section and said second end section, and draws said second end section toward said second initial section when moved from the unlocking position to the locking position so as to constrict said second rod hole.

5. The monitor support device as claimed in claim 4, wherein each of said first and second locking components is a screw.

6. The monitor support device as claimed in claim 3, wherein:

said first surrounding wall of said first pivot portion of said first support arm has a bottom surface;

said second surrounding wall of said second pivot portion of said second support arm is disposed below said first surrounding wall, and has a top surface that confronts said bottom surface of said first surrounding wall;

one of said bottom surface of said first surrounding wall and said top surface of said second surrounding wall is formed with an engaging block protruding therefrom; and

the other one of said bottom surface of said first surrounding wall and said top surface of said second surrounding wall is formed with an engaging groove for receiving slidably said engaging block therein when said first and second pivot portions are coupled together.

7. The monitor support device as claimed in claim 3, further comprising a pair of collars, one of said collars being disposed between said first surrounding wall of said first pivot portion of said first support arm and said upright rod for enhancing friction between said first surrounding wall and said upright rod when said first locking component is at the locking position, the other one of said collars being disposed between said second surrounding wall of said second pivot portion of said second support arm and said upright rod for enhancing friction between said second surrounding wall and said upright rod when said second locking component is at the locking position.

8. The monitor support device as claimed in claim 2, wherein:

each of said first extending portion of said first support arm and said second extending portion of said second support arm is formed with an elongated slot that extends horizontally; and

said monitor support device further comprises a pair of monitor engaging components, each of which engages slidably said elongated slot of a respective one of said first and second extending portions.

9. The monitor support device as claimed in claim 8, wherein each of said monitor engaging components has a sliding part extending slidably through said elongated slot of the respective one of said first extending portion of said first support arm and said second extending portion of said second support arm, and a rotatable part connected to and rotatable relative to said sliding part and adapted for mounting the monitor thereon.

10. The monitor support device as claimed in claim 3, further comprising a limiting component secured on said upright rod under said first surrounding wall of said first pivot portion of said first support arm and said second surrounding wall of said second pivot portion of said second support arm, said limiting component having a diameter larger than that of each of said first rod hole in said first support arm and said second rod hole in said second support arm.

11. The monitor support device as claimed in claim 10, further comprising a cable organizing member coupled detachably on said upright rod under said limiting component.