Counterbalanced Patents (Class 248/280.11)
  • Patent number: 8439321
    Abstract: A stand for a surgical microscope is suggested that is provided with vertical and horizontal supports, articulation units and a displacer for displacing the optics carrier in an X direction extending horizontally and transversely to an oblique pivot axis. A balancing apparatus is provided for balancing an optics carrier held by a pivot support of the displacer. The optics carrier is rotatable around a first rotational axis in relation to the pivot support. The balancing compensates for the use with and without a microscope holder and with and without add-on units. The balancing apparatus is provided with Y and Z displacement units comprising respective slides. The weight of a second slide of the Z displacement unit compensates the weight of the optics carrier with and without the microscope holder and with and without the add-on units via the first rotational axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Leica Instruments (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventor: Andrzej Metelski
  • Patent number: 8413941
    Abstract: A stand for a surgical microscope is suggested that is provided with vertical and horizontal supports, articulation units and a displacer for displacing the optics carrier in an X direction extending horizontally and transversely to an oblique pivot axis. The displacer has a pivot support provided with a pivotable parallelogram support and a holding arm that is attached to the pivotable parallelogram support and is configured such that it simultaneously serves as a displacer for displacing the optics carrier in the X direction. The pivot support is provided with an additional displacement unit that determines the position of the parallelogram support with reference to the second articulation unit and the additional displacement unit contains a displacement screw that protrudes through the parallelogram support and is connected in an articulated fashion at one of its ends to a displacement element mounted to the parallelogram support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Leica Instruments (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventor: Andrzej Metelski
  • Patent number: 8360376
    Abstract: An articulating mount has a hollow support arm with a compression spring inside of it. The spring is on a threaded rod and held at one end by a nut. At the other end, the spring rests against a washer. The washer rests against an indentation in the tube. One end of the threaded rod is connected via rotation links to an adjustment cross inside a housing. The housing has a threaded captive adjustment screw that is attached to both the housing by way of an adjustment pin and to the adjustment cross by its external threading. The housing is secured to a steel support body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Oasys Healthcare Corporation
    Inventors: Marcin Gawelek, Ryan Theakston
  • Patent number: 8342467
    Abstract: An equipoising arm structure that can selectively exert force in any direction—lifting, pressing down, or applying lateral bias—with consistent force throughout its range of articulation, comprises a force exerting device having a force exerting structure including a load arm as a first side pivotable about a load pivot, a resilient member attached to the load arm and to a termination point and forming a second side of the force exerting structure. The third side of the structure is formed by a line from the termination point to the load pivot. A first adjustment mechanism moves the termination point to change the length and disposition of the third side of the structure to positions above or below the load pivot. Additional adjustment mechanisms may alter the mounting angle of the entire force exerting structure, and/or the angular relationship between a plurality its force-exerting component devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Inventors: Eric Ronald Stachowski, Garrett W Brown
  • Patent number: 8336839
    Abstract: An arrangement for transferring a post assembly carrying medical equipment thereon between first and second support structures. The arrangement includes a positioning arm which is supported at one end on the first support structure and at the opposite end is configured for supporting the post assembly. The positioning arm cooperates with a receiver assembly provided on the second support structure. A freestanding cart and wheelchair are also provided which are configured to accept the post assembly from a support structure such as a patient bed, to allow the patient to ambulate with the associated medical equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: Gianni R. Boccoleri, Wojciech Timoszyk, Shibu Korula
  • Patent number: 8336840
    Abstract: There is provided a braking device for braking a support member, which connects a main body of an equipment at one end thereof and a sub-body of the equipment at an opposite end thereof. Such a device includes a support bracket, a shaft, first and second plates, a pressing member, and a movable member. The support bracket is mounted on the main body of the equipment. The shaft is connected at both ends on the main body of the equipment. The first plates are disposed around the shaft and movable relative to the shaft. The second plates are disposed around the shaft and alternately positioned between the first plates. The pressing member presses the first and second plates in a braked position. The first and second plates are spaced apart from one another in an unbraked position. The movable member moves the pressing member between the braked and unbraked positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Medison Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jung Sik Song, Dong Jun Oh, Ghi Young Kim
  • Patent number: 8297809
    Abstract: An apparatus and associated method for operating a portable light assembly. In accordance with some embodiments, a frame providing a bridge and defining a transport region and a deployment region is slidingly connected to a mast. An arm is further connected to the mast by a hinge while a light fixture is connected to the arm. In various embodiments, the light fixture is capable of transitioning from a deployed position where the mast engages the deployment region and a transport position where the mast and light fixture are disposed within the transport region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Dentcraft Tools Limited Partnership
    Inventor: Sidney Quinn Emmert
  • Publication number: 20120267497
    Abstract: An extension arm including an articulating portion that approximately counterbalances the mass of the articulating portion and any objects connected thereto, for example an electronic device, throughout the positional range of the articulating portion. In some embodiments according to the disclosed inventive concepts a spring coupled to a cable is used, the cable being routed along a bearing surface and then attached within the articulating portion. In some embodiments, the bearing surface may be located on a pivotable member that rotates in correspondence with the articulating portion. In various embodiments, the spring may be located within the articulating arm, a base portion in operative engagement with the articulating portion, or entirely external to the extension arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: INNOVATIVE OFFICE PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Stephen J. Bowman, Bradley A. Derry, Odd N. Oddsen, JR., David VanDuzer
  • Patent number: 8262166
    Abstract: An arm support, comprising an arm supporting element, connected via a connecting device with a lift device, wherein the arm supporting element has a longitudinal direction between a front end and a rear end and is connected via a tilting axis (E) with the connecting device, which tilting axis (E), in top plan view, is situated between the front end and the rear end, wherein the lift device comprises compensation means for bearing the weight of the arm support and a load borne thereon, in particular an arm of a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Exact Dynamics B.V.
    Inventors: Henricus Johannes Adrianus Stuijt, Gijs Kramer, Gerardus Richardus Bernardus Engelina Römer
  • Publication number: 20120223199
    Abstract: An adjustable holding apparatus for an endoscope or other medical device having a proximal end and a distal end, the adjustable holding apparatus having a device for holding an endoscope or other medical device that includes a number of arm segments between the proximal end and the distal end, a number of lockable joints that each connect two of the number of arm segments with one another in jointed fashion, and a compensation device for at least partial compensation of the weight impact of the holding apparatus in a pivoting or sliding of at least one arm segment in the vertical direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2012
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Inventors: Omid Abri, Josef Reinauer
  • Patent number: 8256729
    Abstract: In a support for holding and positioning a utility load in space having a base (10) and an elongated supporting arm (12) which between its longitudinal ends is swingably supported on the base (10) for swinging moment about a vertical first axis (24) and about a horizontal second axis (30) which intersects the vertical first axis (24), the supporting arm (12) carrying on one side of the second axis the utility load and on the other side of the second axis carrying a counterweight compensating for the utility load, the utility load being arranged on a first connector arm (14) which is pivotally supported at one end of the supporting arm (12) for moment about a third axis (36), the counterweight (18) being arranged on a second connector arm which is swingably supported on the other end of the supporting arm (12) for movement about a fourth axis (38), the third and fourth axis being parallel to one another, the spacing (Ln) between the engagement point (N) of the utility load and the first connector arm (14) and
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Maquet GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Guido Koch, Reinhard Pfeuffer
  • Patent number: 8256725
    Abstract: A support stand comprises an elevating support; a monitor bracket; and a support member; the elevating support comprising a first and a second chasses, a pluralities of supporting blocks, an elastic member, a first and a second pivot subassemblies, a resisting member, a roller, and a pressing block; the first chassis comprises a resisting wall opposite to the second pivot subassembly; the elastic member is between the resisting wall and the pressing block, two ends of the elastic member resist the resisting wall and the pressing block, the first pivot subassembly is fixed to the plurality of supporting blocks connected to first ends of the chasses, the second pivot subassembly is fixed to the plurality of supporting blocks connected to second ends of the chasses; the resisting member is connected to the plurality of supporting blocks, the roller is assembled with the pressing block and rotatable against the resisting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jin-Xin Wang, Jian Li, Zhi-Guo Sun
  • Patent number: 8234806
    Abstract: A ticket holding system mounted over a cooking station in view of a user of the cooking station and for holding one or more order tickets for meals being prepared and viewable by the user. The ticket holding system includes an elongated ticket holder; an elongated ticket retainer that is secured to a face surface of the elongated ticket holder and capable of releasably retaining one or more order tickets; and a pair of brackets that support the ticket holder at a position disposed over the cooking station. The pair of brackets are mounted from respective support surfaces that are spaced apart so that the brackets are spaced from each other and mount the ticket holder therebetween. The pair of brackets and ticket holder are cooperatively constructed and arranged so that the ticket holder can be both pivotal relative to the brackets and adjusted in height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Raheb Stanley LLC
    Inventor: Gregory A. Raheb
  • Patent number: 8220765
    Abstract: A counterbalance mechanism counterbalances an eccentric mass on a rotating shaft supported by a frame. A first pulley is coupled to and concentric with the shaft. An arm is coupled to the shaft to rotatably support a second at a first distance from the first pulley. A third pulley is fixedly coupled to the frame at a second distance from the first pulley. A fourth pulley is rotatably coupled to and concentric with the third pulley. A spring is fixed at a first end to the frame and has a second end that is coupled to the fourth pulley such that the spring provides a restoring force as the fourth pulley is rotated. A first cable has a first end that is coupled to the fourth pulley and a second end that is coupled to the frame through the third pulley after passing over the first and second pulleys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: David W. Bailey
  • Patent number: 8205845
    Abstract: A holding arrangement is suitable especially for medical-optical equipment (108). The holding arrangement includes a carrier arm (101) for accommodating a load. The carrier arm (101) is pivotally mounted on a holder (102) with the aid of a first rotational joint (103). The holding arrangement further includes a linear spring arrangement (120) for generating a longitudinal force which acts upon the carrier arm (101) in order to compensate a load torque arising in the first rotational joint (103) of the carrier arm (101). The linear spring arrangement (120) for generating a longitudinal force is pivotally mounted on the holder (102) and applies a force on a curved carrier (119) which is operatively connected to the carrier arm (101).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
    Inventor: Hermann Hammer
  • Patent number: 8196883
    Abstract: An adjustable arm supports a device housing with respect to a base and allows the position of the device housing to be adjusted as desired. The adjustable arm has rigid segments joined by pivot joints, with passages therethrough to allow wires to be strung through the arm segments and joints so as to be shielded by the arm. At least one joint is a dual-pivot joint having two joint elements that rotate with respect to each other about a joint pivot axis, each joint element in turn being pivotably attached to an adjacent arm segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Inventor: Bruce D. Hirschhorn
  • Patent number: 8177181
    Abstract: A carrying arrangement having a carrier arm adjustable in elevation is improved so that a load carried thereby can be easily exchanged. A gas-pressure spring (6) incorporates a latching device in such a manner that the gas-pressure spring self latches when a predetermined blocking position (P2) is reached and the self-latching device is disabled in response to an application of pressure to the carrier arm so as to move the carrier arm beyond the blocking position (P2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Draeger Medical AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Stefan Papendieck, Gunnar Wiegandt
  • Patent number: 8132769
    Abstract: A stand for a surgical microscope is suggested, comprising a vertical support, at least one horizontal support, a first vertical articulation unit that is connected the horizontal support, a second articulation unit determining an oblique pivot axis, a displacement unit that is attached to the second articulation unit and has multiple degrees of freedom for displacement and balancing of an optics carrier carrying the surgical microscope, at least one pivot support encompassed by the displacement unit, and a displacer for displacing the optics carrier in an X direction extending horizontally and transversely to the oblique pivot axis. The pivot support comprises a pivotable parallelogram support and a holding arm that is attached to the pivotable parallelogram support and is configured such that it simultaneously serves as a displacer for displacing the optics carrier in the X direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Leica Instruments (Singapore)Pte. Ltd.
    Inventor: Andrzej Metelski
  • Patent number: 8074950
    Abstract: A wall affixed vertically articulated flat panel display mount having a first frame assembly secured to a wall and a second frame assembly operatively connected to the back of a flat panel display. Two pairs of horizontally spaced parallel links extend between the first and second frame assemblies and have respective ends pivotally connected thereto. A pair of pneumatic springs and a linear actuator are connected between the first and second frame assemblies. Knob clamps are provided for holding the mount in a desired position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Inventor: David Michael Clary
  • Patent number: 8038108
    Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a medical instrument includes an arm, which has a support portion to support a medical instrument at one end, and an intermediate portion of which is supported by a base portion via a support column. The arm moves the support portion horizontally and vertically. The apparatus also includes a rotary connecting member, which is provided at a second end of the arm and moves to a position corresponding to a position to which the support portion has been moved. The apparatus further includes a counterweight, which is connected to the support column to be immovable in the horizontal directions and movable in the vertical directions, and generates vertically downward force. The rotary connecting member is connected to the counterweight so as to be movable in the horizontal directions relative to the counterweight and movable in the vertical directions together with the counterweight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Olympus Medical Systems Corp.
    Inventors: Koji Yasunaga, Kenji Harano, Noriaki Kanazawa
  • Patent number: 7997550
    Abstract: The invention relates to a mount (A) for holding at least one display device, comprising a first mounting arm (1) which has an essentially vertical mounting arm segment (1a) and at least one second mounting arm (2) which extends essentially in a horizontal direction across from the mounting arm segment (1a) of the first mounting arm and is provided with at least one connecting element connecting said second mounting arm to the device (B). In order to improve the mount (A) so as to better position the at least one mounting location for the at least one display device (B), at least one side wall of the second mounting arm (2) is shaped in a converging manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Mavig GmbH
    Inventor: Peter Kuhn
  • Patent number: 7984888
    Abstract: A supporting device of a display unit includes a stationary bracket securable to a wall, a body coupling device to mount a body of the display unit thereto, and a plurality of connecting devices to connect the stationary bracket with the body coupling device, each connecting device having first and second ends thereof coupled to the stationary bracket and the body coupling device, respectively, to rotate in left and right directions, and having at least one point between the first and second ends thereof to bend in the left and right directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: SAMSUNG Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jae Hoo Park
  • Patent number: 7971840
    Abstract: An adjustable arm supports a device housing with respect to a base and allows the position of the device housing to be adjusted as desired. The adjustable arm has segments joined by pivot joints, with passages therethrough to allow wires to be strung through the arm segments and joints so as to be shielded by the arm. The joints can be either dual-pivot joints or single pivot joints, and for both types of joints, the frictional resistance of the joints can be adjusted. In some embodiments, the elements of the arm can be strung onto the wiring prior to assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Inventor: Bruce D. Hirschhorn
  • Patent number: 7954779
    Abstract: The torque, due to the weight of the arm, is balanced according to the angular position of the arm by a contrast spring acting perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the arm. The spring is controlled by a cam integral with the arm, is housed in a container closed by a wall acted on by the profile of the cam, and rests on a guide disk whose position relative to the container is adjusted by means of an adjusting screw to calibrate the precompression of the spring according to the minimum torque due to the weight of the arm. In another embodiment, at least one contrast spring acts parallel to the axis of rotation of the arm, and is controlled by a cam edge of a cylinder for axially moving a corresponding sleeve housing the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Coral S.p.A.
    Inventors: Luciano Coral, Pietro Bazzo
  • Patent number: 7845606
    Abstract: A mounting method and system are disclosed for a mounting device for a piece of equipment having an accessory receptacle. The mounting device may include at least two arms connected together providing at least two rotation axes, a mounting stud for mating with the accessory receptacle and connected to one of the two arms providing at least one rotation axis, and a mount for mating with an accessory of the equipment and connected to the other one of the two arms providing at least two rotation axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Inventors: Shawn T. Dennison, Stanley C. Aguilar
  • Patent number: 7837674
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, an apparatus is provided including a linkage and a balancing mechanism coupled to the linkage around a pivotal joint. The linkage couples to a support structure at a first end and support a weight applied to a second end. The balancing mechanism counter balances the weight applied to the second end of the linkage. As the linkage is deformed to vertically adjust the height of the weight with a different moment arm length, the balancing mechanism varies a cable path length to modify the compression of a spring and a tension in a cable to adjust the amount of counter balance force applied to the linkage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas G. Cooper
  • Patent number: 7828255
    Abstract: A supporting rack having a compensating mechanism includes a rack body, an action force compensating assembly, a transmission element and a supporting plate. The rack body has a base and support arms. The action force compensating assembly is provided in the rack body. The elastic element is firmly connected to the base. One end of the dragging piece is connected to the hooking plate. The rotating piece is provided on a distal end of the support arm. The other end of the dragging piece is connected to the rotating piece. One end of the transmission element is firmly connected to the rotating piece and pivoted on the support arm. Via the above arrangement, an appropriate force can be applied to the supporting plate. When the user intends to adjust the supporting plate, the elastic element can generate an effect for compensating the action force, thereby providing a better operation feeling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Syncmold Enterprise Corp.
    Inventors: Ching-Hui Yen, Chun-Lung Chen, Hung-Wei Chang
  • Patent number: 7810773
    Abstract: A pivotal support arm structure has an elastic force adjustment arrangement in order to accommodate the various loads. One end of the support arm structure may be secured to the edge of a desk and the other end thereof may be secured to an article (e.g., LCD display) to be held in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Inventor: Ching-Chih Chi
  • Patent number: 7793897
    Abstract: An exemplary elevating mechanism used for a flat-panel display monitor includes a support structure, a sliding structure, and a pneumatic cylinder. The support structure includes a pair of guide rails. The sliding structure is mounted to the support structure and is capable of sliding along the guide rails. The pneumatic cylinder includes a cylinder body, a piston shaft, and a first piston. The cylinder body is connected to the support structure. The piston shaft includes a first end received in the cylinder body, and a second end opposite to the first end connected to the sliding structure. The first piston is positioned in the cylinder body and partitions the cylinder body into two chambers. The two chambers are filled with gas. The first piston is fixed to the first end of the piston shaft and defines a through hole for communicating the two chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jin-Xin Wang, Ying-Jun Peng
  • Patent number: 7789354
    Abstract: An adjustable support mechanism (30) includes a fixed unit (70), an adjustable suspension unit (80) and a connecting unit (90). The adjustable suspension unit is slidably mounted on the fixed unit. The connecting unit is configured for connecting the fixed unit and the adjustable suspension unit. The connecting unit comprises a first elastic member (96) and an adjusting bracket (94). Opposite ends of the first elastic member are connected to the fixed unit and the adjustable suspension unit correspondingly. The adjusting bracket includes two rotary wheels (942, 945) and a coiling member (944) looped around the rotary wheels. The adjustable suspension unit is fixed to the coiling member. At least one of the rotary wheels is rotatable relative to the fixed unit to coil the coiling member around the rotary wheels, sliding the adjustable suspension unit relative to the fixed unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wen-Lin Gan, Yi-Xiong Wang, Jun-Wu Duan, Chang-Sheng Fan
  • Patent number: 7789363
    Abstract: An exemplary support stand for a flat-panel display monitor, includes a monitor bracket, a rotatable bracket for fixing the monitor bracket, an elevating support, a support member, and a hinge assembly. The elevating support includes a first link bracket, a second link bracket, a plurality of supporting blocks for connecting end portions of the first link bracket and the second link bracket. One end portion of the first link bracket define a first restricting groove and one end portion of the second link bracket defining a second restricting groove corresponding to the first restricting groove. One of the supporting blocks includes a restricting pole. The first and second restricting grooves are configured for blocking the restricting pole. A first end of the elevating support is fixed to the support member; and a second end of the elevating support connects to the rotatable bracket by the hinge assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jun-Wu Duan
  • Patent number: 7733634
    Abstract: A monitor system includes a display panel, a storage case receiving the display panel, a support member movable in the storage case, arm members, first guides in the storage case, and second guides in the support member. The support member rotatably supports the lower end of the display panel. Each arm member has a first supporting point, a second supporting point, and an intermediate supporting point. Each arm member is connected to the display panel through the first supporting point. The second supporting points of the arm members are engaged with the first guides. The intermediate supporting points thereof are engaged with the second guides. In the monitor system with this structure, when the support member is moved forward, the display panel can be rotated upward with a relatively small force such that the display panel is brought from a horizontal posture to a raised posture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Alpine Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Noriyuki Sano, Hideto Katsunuma
  • Patent number: 7717383
    Abstract: An adjustable support mechanism is assembled from: a first bracket that can attach to the underside of a desk; a second bracket that can attach to a keyboard platform; a pivotally coupled connecting member; and a linking member. In one embodiment of the present invention, pivotal movement of the connecting member relative to the first bracket causes the linking member to move the second bracket in a corresponding manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Inventor: Edwin Robin Russell
  • Patent number: 7641155
    Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement for at least partially compensating a torque caused by gravitational forces acting on a mass body (2), which is rotatably supported on an axis of rotation (3). The arrangement includes a gas pressure spring (5) for providing a linear force. This linear force is transformed into a torque by means of a converter unit (7). The mass body (2) and the converter unit (7) can be coupled to each other in a way which allows for adjusting the amplitude and the phase of a compensating torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung
    Inventors: Hartmut Gaertner, Fritz Zimmermann, Wolfgang Strauss
  • Patent number: 7637466
    Abstract: A medical instrument mounting and positioning device is disclosed, comprising a platform with bilateral clamps to hold a camera or other instrument, said platform being movable via a swivel ball-and-socket joint and connected to a spring-tensioned articulated arm having a flexible coil and three longitudinal members connected by pivot screw joints. Another swivel ball joint is located at the non-instrument end of the articulated arm, to connect the arm to a support member that is anchorable to a surgical table or other surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Inventor: Kaycell Dillard
  • Patent number: 7614594
    Abstract: A standing apparatus is provided. The standing apparatus includes a base, a link, and a stopping device. The base is placed on a seat surface to support a display device. The link has one side connected with the display device and the other side rotatably connected to the base. The stopping device maintains a folded state of the link when the link is folded with respect to the base. The stopping device includes a stopper and a stopper fixing groove. The stopper is supported by one of the base and the link, and the stopper fixing groove is formed in the other of the base and the link to allow the link to maintain a folded state by automatically interfering with the stopper when the link reaches the folded state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jin Uk Baek, Sung Yul An
  • Patent number: 7604210
    Abstract: A tilter assembly is provided for positioning an electronic device such as a flat panel display. The tilter assembly includes a tilter head having an opening aligned along an axis and a tilter bar received within the opening. The tilter head is rotatable about the axis, and may be coupled to a support. The tilter assembly also includes a spring, such as a torsion spring, coupled to the tilter bar to provide a bias or counterbalance to the electronic device, thereby preventing undesired movement of the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Innovative Office Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Odd N. Oddsen, Jr., Bradley A. Derry
  • Patent number: 7566039
    Abstract: A movable support tray apparatus for a computer keyboard includes a sliding member, a lift member, a tray member and an inclining member. The sliding member provides a fixing plate for being attached to the bottom of a table top and a sliding seat for being pivotally connected to a respective end of two lateral sides of an upper and lower connecting box sections provided with the lift member. Another end of said upper connecting box section is pivotally connected to a tray plate of the tray member and a lock part and a pair of retarding wheels provided with the lift member. The inclining member is disposed on the lock part and provides a stem handle. The sliding seat is capable of sliding in the fixing plate to move the upper and lower connecting box sections forward and backward. The upper and lower connecting box sections are capable rotating with respect to the sliding seat to perform upward and downward movements with the return spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Inventor: Wen-Min Hung
  • Patent number: 7562852
    Abstract: A keyboard support comprises a platform for supporting a keyboard, a bracket placed on a predetermined position for locking and stabling the platform by a lock module, a joint module connected with an end of the bracket to be used for adjusting the up/down angle of the bracket, a sleeve having a closed end connected to the joint nodule, a crooked shaft having a end slipped over a opened end of the sleeve to be used for adjusting the waving angle of the platform by rotating the sleeve, and a base used for fastening another end of the crooked shaft to an object, wherein the crooked shaft can be rotated for adjusting the position thereof, thus, the adaptability of the support can be improved for various free-angle and positions adjustment according to the coordination of the joint module, the sleeve, the crooked shaft, and the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Sallas Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chia-Ming Wang
  • Patent number: 7562851
    Abstract: A spring arm (1) for a camera body support is provided with a parallelogram guide (3, 5) which is made up of two opposing legs (10, 11) disposed parallel to one another and two likewise opposing connecting elements (12, 13) that connect the respective ends of the legs (10, 11) with one another, and an energy storage mechanism (15), which is supported on two pivot points (17, 19) on the parallelogram guide (3, 5), in order to compensate a load acting on the parallelogram guide (3, 5). At least one (19) of these pivot points (17, 19) is adjustable in relation to the parallelogram guide (3, 5) such that both the energy storage mechanism's (15) pretension and also its action of force direction change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Camera Dynamics GmbH
    Inventors: Dieter Hein, Curt O. Schaller, Roland Seipel
  • Patent number: 7537188
    Abstract: An adjusting device for fastening an operating and/or display device on a wall, having a linear guide arrangement formed by a sliding element and a fastening element, wherein the sliding element has an attachment point for the operating and/or display device. A secure support of the operating/display element results if the fastening element or the sliding element has a pivotable seating arrangement or hinge, with a pivot axis oriented parallel with respect to the displacement direction of the linear guide arrangement. The fastening element can be supported on the wall on two supporting points, which are spaced apart in the displacement direction of the linear guide arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Rittal GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Paul Root, Markus Neuhof, Matthias Müller, Stefan Körner
  • Patent number: 7497408
    Abstract: A monitor apparatus including a monitor and a base to support the monitor. The monitor apparatus further includes a first link provided between the monitor and the base; a second link provided between the monitor and the base adjacent to the first link; a base bracket combined to the base having first and second lower supporting parts to rotatably support lower parts of the first and second links, respectively; a connecting bracket rotatably combined to the monitor having first and second upper supporters to rotatably support upper parts of the first and second links, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jeong-su Lim, Sang-kyeong Ha
  • Patent number: 7478786
    Abstract: A mechanical support arm for holding lamps, flat screen monitors or other equipment which comprises a base member and two links joined by pivoting joints and held in position by friction in the joints. The amount of friction required to hold the equipment in position is reduced by the use of spring-assisted counterbalances that compensate for the majority of the weight. The novel aspects of the invention include the design of the pivots, which are linked rings able to rotate about axles disposed at the pivot points, and the manner in which the springs are attached to the pivot points to reduce the amount of force that need be exerted on the arm to place the object being supported in the desired position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Knoll, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephan Copeland
  • Patent number: 7472872
    Abstract: A first switch for performing both a weight balancing operation for a main parallel linkage and a weight balancing operation for a supplemental parallel linkage is provided separately from a second switch for only performing a weight balancing operation for the supplemental parallel linkage. An operator can press the second switch during surgery to only correct a slightly unbalanced state of the supplemental parallel linkage in a short period of time, resulting in increased operability of the operation microscope. While the first switch is provided on an operating panel at a stand body, the second switch is provided at a lower part of a distal link located above an operating space for the operation microscope. It is thus easy for an operator to press the second switch during surgery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Mitaka Kohki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Katsushige Nakamura
  • Patent number: 7464909
    Abstract: A supporting shelf includes a bearing seat, a first supporting arm, a second supporting arm, a third supporting arm and a setting seat. The bearing seat is pivotally connected with an end of the first supporting arm allowing the supporting shelf to swing left or right. An end of the second supporting arm is connected with another end of the first supporting arm through a pin-connected mechanism. An end of the third supporting arm is connected with another end of the second supporting arm. The setting seat is pivotally connected with a joint. The joint is pivotally connected with another end of the third supporting arm. The setting seat is for fixing a LCD moving up, down, left or right through the joint, whereby the length of the supporting shelf is increased, and the action area of the LCD is extended and is improved agility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Inventor: Chin-Chu Li
  • Patent number: 7461824
    Abstract: A stand arrangement (100) for a medical-optical instrument includes a first link (104) which is pivotally journalled on a holding unit (101) with a first rotational joint. The stand arrangement further includes a second link (107) which is rotatably connected to the first link (104) via a second rotational joint (106). In a forward section (108) of the second link (106), a take-up unit (110) for medical-optical equipment (111) is held with a third rotational joint (109). The take-up unit (110) includes a front link (112) which is coupled to a device for force transmission (115). This device is rotatably journalled on the second rotational joint (106). In the stand arrangement (100), a device is provided for coupling the holding unit and the device for force transmission. This device for coupling includes a flexible force transmitting element (133) which can be loaded in tension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss AG
    Inventors: Martin Poxleitner, Roland Brenner, Klaus Abele
  • Patent number: 7458549
    Abstract: A tilter assembly is provided for positioning an electronic device such as a flat panel display. The tilter assembly includes a tilter shaft holder having an opening aligned along an axis and a shaft received within the opening. The shaft is rotatable about the axis, and may be coupled to a support. The tilter shaft holder is coupled to the electronic device. The tilter assembly also includes a torsion spring device in operative association with the shaft to provide a bias or counterbalance to the electronic device, thereby preventing undesired rotation about the axis. The torsion spring device may be adjustably tensioned by a tension mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Innovative Office Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Odd N. Oddsen, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20080277552
    Abstract: A mechanical arm comprises a forearm, a spring, and an upper arm disposed between the forearm and the spring, wherein the forearm applies a moment to the upper arm. A copying device associated with the upper arm copies a force associated with the moment to the spring. The spring is adapted to apply a counter-force resisting at least a portion of the moment to reduce a torque for urging the forearm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2008
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Inventor: Eugene F. Duval
  • Patent number: 7445583
    Abstract: A mechanism mounted on a stationary exercise bicycle including a frame, a rear seat, a front drive mechanism having a pedal at either side, and a numeric display is disclosed. In one embodiment, the mechanism includes a mounting assembly fixedly mounted at one side of the frame and including upper and lower mounting lugs; and an arm including an upper section secured to the display and a lower section having a distal end releasably secured to the upper section and a proximal end pivotably fastened between the mounting lugs. The display is adapted to dispose in a first position in front of the seat, in a second position at one side of the frame or in a position between the first position and the second position by pivoting about the mounting assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Inventor: James Chen
  • Patent number: 7434776
    Abstract: A method and system are disclosed, may include a mounting device for a piece of equipment having an accessory receptacle. The mounting device may include at least two arms connected together providing at least two rotation axes, a mounting stud for mating with the accessory receptacle and connected to one of the two arms providing at least one rotation axis, and a mount for mating with an accessory of the equipment and connected to the other one of the two arms providing at least two rotation axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Inventors: Shawn T. Dennison, Stanely C. Aguilar