Cam lock for cantilever mounting device
A cantilever mounting device includes a front member on which an object is mounted and a back member for attachment to a load-bearing surface. A first arm is connected to the back member to form a rotatable first joint. A second arm is connected to the first arm to form a rotatable second joint. The front member is connected to the second arm to form a rotatable third joint. The first joint includes a first cam including a first lever and a first shaft for connecting the back member to the first arm. The first cam allows rotation about an axis of the first joint when the first lever is set to a first adjustment position. The first cam does not allow rotation about the axis of the first joint when the first lever is set to a first locked position.
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1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to tension adjustment for a cantilever mounting device.
2. Description of Related Art
Flat panel displays have become increasingly popular in home entertainment systems. Generally, flat panel displays have a limited viewing angle, thus making the positioning of the display important to a viewer. Flat panel displays are typically placed on stands or are mounted to a wall by flat panel mounting devices. These mounting devices include articulating joints and are conventionally preset with an optimal joint/tilt tension during manufacturing to the joints of the articulating components and tilt mechanisms. The preset tension allows the flat panel mounting device to steadily and predictably hold a display in place. However, periodic adjustment is required to readjust the tension of the joints and tilt mechanism to maintain a desired viewing position. Furthermore, if a user decides to change a viewing position of the display, the present joint tension may first need to be loosened to allow repositioning of the mounting device.
Conventionally, the end user is required to make manual adjustments to the joints using specialized tools to provide the articulating components with the correct amount of tension or friction to hold the mounting device in place. However, users without proper tools must resort to professional installers to provide periodic tensioning adjustment. In either case, the purchase of tools or services is costly and inconvenient. Therefore, a tension adjustment of the mounting device has become difficult. The present solutions do not provide the ability to quickly and conveniently maintain the proper operation of a mounting device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONVarious embodiments of the present invention overcome these drawbacks of the prior art and provide a cantilever mounting device having articulating joints and a cam for allowing adjustment of the joint tension by a flip of a lever from a locked position to an adjustment position. The adjustment position allows the adjustment of tension at a corresponding articulating joint. In this manner, the repositioning of the mounting device to a desired viewing angle is provided. The present invention is not limited to mounting flat-panel displays as any display suitable for mounting can be utilized.
Accordingly, one embodiment of the invention is a cantilever mounting device that includes a front member on which an object is mounted and a back member for attachment to a load-bearing surface. A first arm connected to the back member forms a rotatable first joint. A second arm connected to the first arm forms a rotatable second joint. The front member connected to the second arm forms a rotatable third joint. The first joint includes a first cam including a first lever and a first shaft for connecting the back member to the first arm. The first lever is set in a first locked position and a first adjustment position. The first cam allows rotation about an axis of the first joint when the first lever is set to the first adjustment position and the first cam does not allow rotation about the axis of the first joint when the first lever is set to the first locked position.
Furthermore, the first cam includes an adjustment dial. The first cam allows rotation of the adjustment dial when the first lever is set to the first adjustment position, and the first cam does not allow rotation of the adjustment dial when the first lever is set to the first locked position. The rotation of said adjustment dial increases or decreases a tension of the first Joint. The first cam includes a first base, a first pivot pin, and an adjustment dial. The first pivot pin is inserted into the first lever and the first shaft to secure the first lever, the first base, and the first pivot pin to a first end of the first shaft. The first adjustment dial is connected to a second end of the first shaft. The first locked position of the first lever is provided perpendicular to the first shaft, and the first adjustment position of the first lever is provided parallel to the first shaft. The second joint includes a second cam including a second lever, a second shaft, and a tension pin for connecting the first arm to the second arm. The second lever is set in a second locked position and a second adjustment position. The second cam allows rotation about an axis of the second joint when the second lever is set to the second adjustment position and the second cam does not allow rotation about the axis of the second joint when the second lever is set to the second locked position. The second cam allows rotation of the tension pin when the second lever is set to the second adjustment position, and the second cam does not allow rotation of the tension pin when the second lever is set to the second locked position. The rotation of the tension pin increases or decreases a tension of the second joint. The second cam includes a second base and a second pivot pin. The tension pin is inserted into the second shaft. The second pivot pin is inserted into the second lever and the tension pin to secure the second lever, the second base, the second pivot pin and the tension pin to the second shaft. The tension pin is a screw.
In another embodiment of the present invention, a cantilever mounting, device includes a front member on which an object is mounted and a back member for attachment to a load-bearing surface. A first arm connected to the back member forms a rotatable first joint. A second arm connected to the first arm forms a rotatable second joint. The front member connected to the second arm forms a rotatable third joint. The third joint includes a third cam including a third lever and a third shaft. The third lever is set in a locked position and an adjustment position. The third cam allows rotation about the axis of the third joint when the third lever is set to the adjustment position. The third cam does not allow rotation about an axis of the third joint when the third lever is set to the locked position.
Furthermore, the third cam allows rotation of the third shaft when the third lever is set to the adjustment position, and the third cam does not allow rotation of the third shaft when the third lever is set to the locked position. The rotation of the third shaft increases or decreases a tension of the third joint. The third cam includes a third base, a third pivot pin, a top pivot, and a bottom pivot. The third pivot pin is inserted into the third lever and the third shaft to secure the third lever, the third base, and the top pivot pin to a first end of the third shaft. The bottom pivot is connected to a second end of the third shaft. A tilt link is connected to the top pivot and the bottom pivot. The tilt link connects the third cam to the front member. The tilt link provides rotation about an axis perpendicular to the axis of the third joint.
A method for adjusting the position of a cantilever mounting device includes applying force to a first lever of a first cam for reducing a tension of a first joint and for setting the first lever to a first adjustment position. A first arm is rotated relative to a back member about the first joint when the first lever is in the first adjustment position. Force is applied to the first lever for increasing the tension of the first joint and for setting the first lever to a first locked position such that the first arm is locked in place relative to the back member.
Furthermore, an adjustment dial of the first cam is rotated to reduce the tension of the first joint when the first lever is set to the first adjustment position. Force is applied to a second lever of a second cam for reducing a tension of a second joint and for setting the second lever to a second adjustment position. A second arm is rotated relative to the first arm about the second joint when the second lever is in the second adjustment position. Force is applied to the second lever for increasing the tension of the second joint when the second lever is in the second adjustment position. Force is applied to the second lever for increasing the tension of the second joint and for setting the second lever to a second locked position such that the second arm is locked in place relative to the first arm. Force is applied to a third lever of a third cam for reducing a tension of a third joint and for setting the third lever to a third adjustment position. A front member is rotated relative to the second arm about the third joint when the third lever is in the adjustment position. Force is applied to the third lever for increasing the tension of the third joint and for setting the third lever to a third locked position such that the front member is locked in place relative to the second arm. The front member is tilted about an axis perpendicular to the third joint.
Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, various features of embodiments of the invention.
One embodiment of a mounting device 100 is illustrated in
Mounting device 100 includes articulating joints analogous to a human arm and can be described using similar terminology. For example, a first end of a lower arm 30 is attached perpendicularly to back plate 20 by a shoulder cam 50 to form a shoulder joint that acts as a hinge for rotation of the lower arm about the shoulder joint. Similarly, an elbow joint is formed by an elbow cam 60 where a first end of an upper arm 40 attaches to a second end of lower arm 30. The second end of upper arm 40 connects to front plate 10 at wrist cam 70 to form a wrist joint that allows front plate 10 to pivot side-to-side about an axis of the wrist joint. Each of the shoulder, elbow, and wrist joints has a range of motion that allows mounting device 100 to be adjusted as desired by a user. The shoulder, elbow, and wrist joints rotate in the same plane and may also be referred to as respective first, second, and third joints.
The wrist joint is now described.
As shown in the exploded schematic view of
The operation of wrist cam 70 is somewhat similar to shoulder cam 50 and elbow cam 60. When lever 71 is provided in a horizontal locked position, the downward force of lever 71 locks the position of pivots 77 and 78 to prevent side-to-side movement of front plate 10 about an axis of the wrist joint. However, when lever 71 is pushed to the vertical adjustment position by a user, the tension between lever 71 and pivot shaft 76 is relieved such that a user can then rotate lever 71 and base 73 to decrease the wrist joint tension to thereby rotate front plate 10 to a desired position.
The levers and bases of the cams, as well as pivots 77 and 78, are preferably formed from plastic resin while pivot shaft 54, fastening shaft 65, and pivot shaft 76 are preferably formed of high carbon steel. Furthermore, pivot shaft 54, fastening shaft 65 and pivot shaft 76 should have a yield strength of at least 100,000 psi. The tilt links are preferably formed from plastic resins and steel.
An alternative embodiment of the invention is now described with reference to
The particular embodiments of the invention described in this document should be considered illustrative, rather than restrictive. Modification to the described embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined by the following claims and their equivalents.
Claims
1. A cantilever mounting device comprising:
- a front member on which an object is mounted;
- a back member for attachment to a load-bearing surface;
- a first arm connected to said back member to form a rotatable first joint;
- a second arm connected to said first arm to form a rotatable second joint;
- said front member connected to said second arm to form a rotatable third joint;
- wherein said first joint includes a first cam including a first lever and a first shaft for connecting said back member to said first arm;
- wherein said first lever is set in a first locked position and a first adjustment position;
- wherein said first cam allows rotation about an axis of the first joint when said first lever is set to said first adjustment position, and said first cam does not allow rotation about the axis of the first joint when said first lever is set to said first locked position.
2. The cantilever mounting device of claim 1, wherein
- said first cam includes an adjustment dial; and
- said first cam allows rotation of said adjustment dial when said first lever is set to said first adjustment position, and said first cam does not allow rotation of said adjustment dial when said first lever is set to said first locked position.
3. The cantilever mounting device of claim 2, wherein
- the rotation of said adjustment dial increases or decreases a tension of the first joint.
4. The cantilever mounting device of claim 1, wherein
- said first cam includes a first base, a first pivot pin, and an adjustment dial;
- wherein said first pivot pin is inserted into said first lever and said first shaft to secure said first lever, said first base, and said first pivot pin to a first end of said first shaft;
- wherein said adjustment dial is connected to a second end of said first shaft.
5. The cantilever mounting device of claim 1, wherein
- the first locked position of said first lever is provided perpendicular to said first shaft, and the first adjustment position of said first lever is provided parallel to said first shaft.
6. The cantilever mounting device of claim 1, wherein
- said second joint includes a second cam including a second lever, a second shaft, and a tension pin for connecting said first arm to said second arm;
- wherein said second lever is set in a second locked position and a second adjustment position;
- wherein said second cam allows rotation about an axis of the second joint when said second lever is set to said second adjustment position and said second cam does not allow rotation about the axis of the second joint when said second lever is set to said second locked position.
7. The cantilever mounting device of claim 6, wherein
- said second cam allows rotation of said tension pin when said second lever is set to said second adjustment position, and said second cam does not allow rotation of said tension pin when said second lever is set to said second locked position.
8. The cantilever mounting device of claim 6, wherein
- the rotation of said tension pin increases or decreases a tension of the second joint.
9. The cantilever mounting device of claim 6, wherein
- said second cam includes a second base and a second pivot pin;
- wherein said tension pin is inserted into said second shaft;
- wherein said second pivot pin is inserted into said second lever and said tension pin to secure said second lever, said second base, said second pivot pin and said tension pin to said second shaft.
10. The cantilever mounting device of claim 6, wherein
- said tension pin is a screw.
11. A cantilever mounting device comprising:
- a front member on which an object is mounted;
- a back member for attachment to a load-bearing surface;
- a first arm connected to said back member to form a rotatable first joint;
- a second arm connected to said first arm to form a rotatable second joint;
- said front member connected to said second arm to form a rotatable third joint;
- said third joint includes a third cam including a third lever and a third shaft;
- wherein said third lever is set in a locked position and an adjustment position,
- wherein said third cam allows rotation about the axis of the third joint when said third lever is set to said adjustment position, and said third cam does not allow rotation about an axis of the third joint when said third lever is set to said locked position.
12. The cantilever mounting device of claim 11, wherein
- said third cam allows rotation of said third shaft when said third lever is set to said adjustment position, and said third cam does not allow rotation of said third shaft when said third lever is set to said locked position.
13. The cantilever mounting device of claim 11, wherein
- the rotation of said third shaft increases or decreases a tension of the third joint.
14. The cantilever mounting device of claim 11, wherein
- said third cam includes a third base, a third pivot pin, a top pivot, and a bottom pivot;
- wherein said third pivot pin is inserted into said third lever and said third shaft to secure said third lever, said third base, and said top pivot pin to a first end of said third shaft;
- wherein said bottom pivot is connected to a second end of said third shaft.
15. The cantilever mounting device of claim 11, further comprising:
- a tilt link connected to said top pivot and said bottom pivot;
- wherein said tilt link connects said third cam to said front member;
- wherein said tilt link provides rotation about an axis perpendicular to the axis of said third joint.
16. A method of adjusting a cantilever mounting device comprising the steps of:
- applying force to a first lever of a first cam for reducing a tension of a first joint and for setting said first lever to a first adjustment position;
- rotating a first arm relative to a back member about the first joint when said first lever is in the first adjustment position;
- applying force to said first lever for increasing the tension of the first joint and for setting said first lever to a first locked position such that said first arm is locked in place relative to said back member.
17. The method of adjusting the cantilever mounting device of claim 16, further comprising the steps of:
- rotating an adjustment dial of said first cam to reduce the tension of the first joint when said first lever is set to the first adjustment position.
18. The method of adjusting the cantilever mounting device of claim 16, further comprising the steps of:
- applying force to a second lever of a second cam for reducing a tension of a second joint and for setting said second lever to a second adjustment position;
- rotating a second arm relative to said first arm about the second joint when said second lever is in the second adjustment position;
- applying force to said second lever for increasing the tension of the second joint and for setting said second lever to a second locked position such that the second arm is locked in place relative to said first arm.
19. The method of adjusting the cantilever mounting device of claim 16, further comprising the steps of:
- applying force to a third lever of a third cam for reducing a tension of a third joint and for setting said third lever to a third adjustment position;
- rotating a front member relative to said second arm about the third joint when said third lever is in the third adjustment position;
- applying force to said third lever for increasing the tension of the third joint and for setting said third lever to a third locked position such that the front member is locked in place relative to said second arm.
20. The method of adjusting the cantilever mounting device of claim 19, further comprising:
- tilting the front member about an axis perpendicular to the third joint.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 3, 2008
Publication Date: Jan 7, 2010
Applicant: OMNIMOUNT SYSTEMS, INC. (Phoenix, AZ)
Inventors: Brett STENHOUSE (Phoenix, AZ), Michael TOWNSEND (Gilbert, AZ), Ray ZUCKERMAN (Scottsdale, AZ), John C. DONACHY (Laveen, AZ)
Application Number: 12/167,801
International Classification: A47B 96/07 (20060101);