Including Spring Or Biasing Means Patents (Class 248/292.13)
  • Publication number: 20110147562
    Abstract: A safety device (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600) for a cantilevered beam (86) pivotally mounted adjacent one end thereof to a support surface is adapted to bridge the beam and the support surface (84) and is structured so that when coupled to the beam and support surface, the safety device maintains the beam in a substantially fixed cantilevered condition until a downward force exceeding a threshold is applied to the beam and thereafter controls downward pivoting of the beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: SMART TECHNOLOGIES ULC
    Inventors: Paul Anthony Auger, James Rempel, Matthew Rodgers, Amir Butmir, Mark Fletcher, Gregory G. Forrest
  • 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: 7942374
    Abstract: A keyboard support including: a workstation engaging member adapted to be attached to an underside of the work surface; a keyboard engaging member disposed forwardly of the workstation engaging member for supporting a keyboard; a linkage assembly mechanically coupling and providing relative movement between the workstation engaging member and the keyboard engaging member; and a tilt gauge assembly to indicate a tilt angle of the keyboard engaging member, the tilt gauge assembly including a parallelogram linkage defining a longitudinal axis, the parallelogram linkage including stationary member affixed to the keyboard engaging member that pivots with the keyboard engaging member with respect to the upper connector and a movable member tangent to the lower connector, wherein changing the tilt angle of the keyboard engaging member causes a distance along the longitudinal axis between the stationary member and the movable member to change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Workrite Ergonomics, Inc.
    Inventors: Derek Timm, Giancarlo A. Giustina, Matthew R. Vargas
  • Publication number: 20110110032
    Abstract: A bracket assembly is used for an expansion card. The bracket assembly includes a panel and a handle. The panel includes a top edge. The handle is attached to a side of the panel. The handle is capable of pivoting about a pivot axis perpendicular to the panel. The handle includes a lifting arm, a blocking arm, and a connecting arm. The lifting arm, the blocking arm and the connecting arm are connected end to end. An opening is defined by the lifting arm, the blocking arm and the connecting arm. The handle is capable of being rotated between a first position where the handle is urged to reside under the top edge of the panel and a second position where the opening extend above the top edge of the panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2009
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Che-Yu KUO, Li-Ping CHEN
  • Publication number: 20110084188
    Abstract: A tilter assembly is disclosed which comprises a pair of springs, each of which is coupled to the tilter body and the center tilt mount, that provide a counterbalance force to support the weight of a user device which is attached to the tilter. A bushing, which is capable of providing force to a friction cylinder which permits rotation of the tilter about an axis, is adjustable vis-à-vis the friction cylinder via a set screw to provide additional counterbalance force to the tilter to support the weight of the user device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Applicant: INNOVATIVE OFFICE PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Odd N. Oddsen, JR., Bradley A. Derry
  • Publication number: 20110079691
    Abstract: A device for holding archery bows and/or other hunting accessories is provided. The hunting accessory holding device includes a base member that attaches to a mounting substrate such as a tree, an arm assembly that is configured to hold the archery bow, and a lift mechanism that connects the arm assembly to the base member. The lift mechanism automatically retracts the arm assembly upwardly, from an extended position to a retracted position, when the bow is removed from the arm assembly, thereby removing the arm assembly from the hunter's view and way. The lift mechanism can include a spring that provides a retracting force for moving the arm assembly. As desired, the lift mechanism can also provide an adjustable or variable braking force that opposes the retracting force and enables the hunter to determine a rate of arm retraction, as desired.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Inventors: Timothy M. Gorsuch, James A. Buckley
  • Patent number: 7891622
    Abstract: An improved tilt mounting system for mounting flat panel televisions and similar devices or displays. In various embodiments, at least one mounting bracket includes a plurality of guide mechanisms that are adjustable in orientation relative to each other. When the guide mechanisms are adjusted, the angle between guide structures contained therein changes. As the angle between the guide structures increases, the mounting system becomes more suitable for larger devices or display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Peerless Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Dugan O'Keene
  • Patent number: 7887019
    Abstract: A support mechanism is adapted to support an upper body of an electronic element, and the upper body can be turned pivotally relative to a lower body of the electronic device. The support mechanism includes a base, a plate, a transmission shaft and a torsional force generating device, in which the base is fixed on the lower body and the plate is fixed on the upper body. Furthermore, the transmission shaft is passed through and installed on the base and the torsional force generating device is wound around the transmission shaft. One end of the torsional force generating device is extended outward and fixed on the plate so as to couple the base to the plate and process a pivotal turn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Teco Image System Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Ming Te Yeh, Chien-Chung Tseng
  • Publication number: 20110006179
    Abstract: This invention is to an apparatus and method using a pivoting support structure to support mail boxes, newspaper tubes, information signage or decorative materials near a road while being less susceptible to damage from passing vehicles. The invention may be attached to a post, pipe or other vertical structure. Even after the apparatus is installed, the invention has an inherent flexibility to change the original starting position of the mail box relative to the road. Furthermore, the invention acts as a self-centering hinge allowing the support structure to swing in excess of 90-degrees to 180-degrees depending upon installation even while supporting single or multiple mailboxes and/or decorative or aesthetic items. The invention then automatically returns the mail box to its original starting position through the cooperative effort of a spring, gravity and inherent hinge design.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2009
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Inventor: Rodney W. Holland
  • Patent number: 7789364
    Abstract: The display monitor of a rear projection system is pivotally connected to the projector body and provided with a resilient member that permits opening of the monitor in a vertical direction by the application of a small force during maintenance of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Simotec Inc.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Katsumata, Yukihiro Nishida
  • Patent number: 7775494
    Abstract: A foldable holder connecting to and supporting a display comprises a mount and a swinging part. The mount comprises a base and a pillar disposed on the base. The swinging part pivots around the pillar. The display, is disposed at a front side of the swinging part. The swinging part may be folded together with the display so as to be parallel with the base of the mount. Thus, the wasted space caused by the irregular geometry of the holder and the supported LCD can be significantly reduced. The design will greatly simplify the processes of packing, handling, and storage; therefore significantly lower the cost of business shipment. Since most of the unused space in the carton box is eliminated, the quantity of Styrofoam used as filler can also be significantly reduced, which contributing to environmental protection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Syncmold Enterprise Corp.
    Inventors: Ching-Hui Yen, Chien-Cheng Yeh
  • Publication number: 20100102186
    Abstract: A support arm system (10) includes a socket (16) for attachment to a surface (18) and a support arm (14), for removable insertion in the socket (16). The support arm (14) has at least one formation (22). The socket (16) includes a housing (28) having an insertion opening (30) leading to a passage (32) for insertion of the support arm (14). At least one formation (34) in the passage (32) complementary to the at least one formation (22) on the support arm (14) is provided to engage the support arm (14) when the support arm (14) is in the socket (16). A gate element (36) in the passage (32) is biased to a position at or in front of said at least one formation (34) in the passage. To insert the support arm (14), the gate element (36) must be pushed against its bias to expose the formation in the passage for engagement by the support arm (14) to retain the support arm in the socket, the gate element (36) providing a positive force between the support arm (14) and socket (16) while it is so retained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2008
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Inventor: Aydin Keyvanloo
  • Patent number: 7694922
    Abstract: Provided are a supporting apparatus for display devices and a display device having the same, which make it possible to simplify construction, compared to the conventional ones, to provide easier production and to reduce production costs, as well as to maintain uniform motion of a main body of the display device when adjusting a viewing angle of a display screen of the main body. The supporting apparatus for display devices includes a supporting bracket provided to a main body of the display device, a base supporting the main body, a stand coupled to the base at a lower portion thereof and to the supporting bracket at an upper portion thereof, and a joint rotatably connecting the upper portion of the stand and the supporting bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Young Tai Kim
  • Patent number: 7673840
    Abstract: A supporting arm for a projection apparatus has first and second arm sections and an articulation apparatus therebetween for interconnecting the arm sections. The projection apparatus can be fastened on a free end of the second arm section. The articulation apparatus permits the second arm section to rotate relative to the first arm section between a first position, in which the longitudinal axes of the arm sections run substantially mutually parallel, and a second position, in which the longitudinal axes of the arm sections run substantially mutually at right angles. A spring apparatus is coupled to the arm sections and has a spring force selected to compensate for a weight force of the second arm section and of the projection apparatus fastened thereon over substantially an entire rotational excursion of the second arm section relative to the first arm section. A presentation apparatus having the supporting arm is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: VS Vereinigte Spezialmoebelfabriken GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Reinhard Weber, Friedrich Korte
  • Patent number: 7669821
    Abstract: A retractable accessory hook assembly for a vehicle. A housing has a cavity with an opening. A hook is pivotably coupled to the housing and is movable between a stowed position substantially within the cavity and a deployed position at least partially extending from the opening of the cavity. A cover is also pivotably coupled to the housing and is configured to selectably close off at least a portion of the opening of the cavity. The cover is movable from a closed position proximate the housing to an open position away from the housing while the hook is being moved to a stowed or deployed position. The cover is also movable from the open position to the closed position to retain the hook in either the stowed or deployed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Amy L. Martin
  • 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: 7588378
    Abstract: A camera-support head includes a stator and a rotor that is mounted so that it can be rotated about an inclined axis in relation to the stator. The head also includes a compensation device for compensating a load torque that occurs during the inclination, the device having an energy accumulator which exerts a restoring torque on the rotor during the inclination. In addition, the compensation device has an auxiliary device which influences the transmission of the rotational displacement from the rotor to the energy accumulator and thus also the restoring torque that is exerted on the rotor by the energy accumulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Camera Dynamics GmbH
    Inventor: Bernhard Kistner
  • Publication number: 20090224122
    Abstract: A universal support is provided in the present invention. The universal support includes a brace unit, a mounting unit and a connecting unit, in which the brace unit has several joint assemblies with stronger mechanical strength and several quick-release clamp unit to carry heavier load, while the connecting unit can be securely fastened to a stationary object and the mounting unit can perform universally rotation so as to perfectly satisfy every need of the users.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Inventor: Chin-Hui LIAO
  • Publication number: 20090189041
    Abstract: A tilt control for a tiltable mount and a mount including a tilt control are provided. The mount has first and second brackets mounted for rotation or tilting, such as about a shaft. The second bracket might be a monitor mount tiltable relative to an arm bracket. The tilt control includes a friction brake and an over-running clutch configured to disengage the friction brake to permit upward rotation or tilting, but engage the friction brake for controlling the downward rotation or tilting. The friction brake is engaged by the over-running clutch to control downward tilting. The friction brake generates a counter-acting force to retain a mounted device such as a video monitor and/or keyboard in fixed position against drooping, but to permit downward tilting upon application by a user of an adjustment force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2008
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Inventors: Frank Dean WEBER, Erich Coiner
  • 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: 7552487
    Abstract: A bottom bracket of a playpen includes a support seat, and a rotation seat. The support seat includes two covers, a slide, a locking rod, a drive rod, an elastic member, a pull handle, and a pull strap. The rotation seat includes two pivot members and a limit plate. Thus, the user only needs to pull the pull strap upward so to fold the bottom bracket, so that the bottom bracket is folded easily and rapidly, thereby facilitating the user folding the bottom bracket. In addition, each of the two pivot members is locked by the locking rod exactly when the bottom bracket is expanded, thereby preventing the pivot members from being pivoted unintentionally, so that the bottom bracket is positioned rigidly and stably without detachment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Inventor: Owen Chen
  • Patent number: 7533856
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tripod head, in particular a camera tripod head, whereby the return moment for balancing the tipping moment generated by the tipping moment exerted by the camera may be generated as near as possible to a sine sine curve with a compact construction. Essentially stationary return springs (17) are used for the above. The tilting movement of an arrangement (5) supporting the camera is transmitted over a carrier (26) by a cable (9), whereupon the pressure springs (17) are compressed and generate the necessary return moment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Camera Dynamics GmbH
    Inventor: Berthold Mollenhauer
  • Patent number: 7523907
    Abstract: A hanger for an electronic apparatus. The hanger comprises a base mounted to a wall, a bracket pivoting on the base, a first link pivoting on the base and comprising a ratchet with a plurality of teeth, and a second link with a stopper rotatably connecting the first link and the bracket. The angle between the bracket and the base is varied by the stopper engaging each tooth of the ratchet. The bracket can rotate between a first position and a second position. When the bracket is in the first position, the bracket overlaps the base, and in the second position, the angle between the bracket and the base is maximized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: BENQ Corporation
    Inventor: Min-Yu Chen
  • Patent number: 7520481
    Abstract: A mounting assembly includes first and second mounts that connect two objects, such as an electronic instrument housing and a surface. The first mount engages the second mount at a receptacle by way of cooperating detent members. One mount includes a resilient member, upon which cooperating detent members are disposed. The resilient member provides a bias to cause secure engagement of the cooperating detent members. Other features of the mounting assembly include rotational engagement between first and second cooperating detent members such that the angle of the first mount may be adjusted with respect to the angle of the second mount. Also, lead-ins may be included on the second mount so that the resilient members on the first mount may be depressed to ensure proper engagement of the cooperating detent members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Navico, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenton Jopling
  • Patent number: 7513011
    Abstract: A hinge has a first bracket, a pivot pin, a second bracket and two torsion spring assemblies. The first bracket has a support and two holders. The pivot pin is mounted rotatably through the support and the holders on the base of the first bracket. The second bracket is mounted to the pivot pin. The torsion spring assemblies are mounted on the pivot pin and correspond respectively to the holders on the first bracket. Each torsion spring assembly has a disk and a torsion spring. The disk is mounted securely to the pivot pin and has a spring hook. The torsion spring is mounted around the pivot pin and has two ends. One end is mounted securely on the corresponding holder, and the other end is engaged detachably with the spring hook on the disk. The torsion springs provide a recovering force to keep the pivot pin from pivoting inadvertently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Shin Zu Shing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sheng-Nan Lu, Wei-Chun Chen, Shu-Mu Lin
  • 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: 7494100
    Abstract: A torsion coil spring spring-biases a rotary plate in such direction that a display unit may be rotated around rotary shafts, so as to rise from a horizontal position. An extension spring spring-biases the display unit, so that the display unit may be changed from an anti-rising direction to a rising direction while the display unit is being rotated, whereby a driving torque may become substantially constant against the weight of the display unit. One end of the extension spring is engaged with the rotary plate and the other end thereof is engaged with an engagement pin disposed at a position displaced from the center of the rotary shaft of the display unit. The length of the extension spring becomes longest while the rotary plate is being tilted and rotated. Thus, the electronic equipment tilting and rotating apparatus can tilt and rotate the display unit with application of a necessary and minimum driving torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Takehiko Tanaka, Hisahiro Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7490807
    Abstract: A embodiment of a stand includes a base, a support, and a biasing member. The biasing member provides a biasing force to urge the support to a first position relative to the base from a second position relative to the base. When in the second position the support is allowed to rotate on a pivot, and when in the first position the support is prevented from rotating on the pivot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Timothy M. Souza, Dennis R. Esterberg, David L. Smith, Jeffrey Scott Bakkom
  • Patent number: 7478972
    Abstract: A rotational supporting mechanism, which supports a main body and a cover, includes an eccentric cam. The main body and the cover are superposed in a closed position. From the closed position, the cover is rotated 180 degrees and stopped at a 180-degree rotational position in an open position. The eccentric cam rotates eccentrically. The pressing means presses a cam surface of the eccentric cam in a direction of a line connecting a portion of the eccentric cam corresponding to the closed position and a portion of the eccentric cam corresponding to the open position when the main body and the cover are superposed in the closed position. Rotation of the cam is stopped in the open position and the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignees: OMRON Corporation, Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications Japan, Inc.
    Inventors: Satoshi Takamori, Tsuyoshi Uchida, Masami Nishida
  • Patent number: 7466554
    Abstract: A pivotal mounting structure for an electronic device, an electronic device utilizing the pivotal mounting structure, and a method of mounting an electronic device on a rack. The pivotal mounting structure allows an electronic device to be mounted in a rack, and allows the electronic device to pivot up so that the front operating panel can be set at an angel with respect to the rack. The structure comprises a angle member, a side plate, a pivot shaft, a holding section, and a support device. The side plate is attached to the electronic device, and the angle member is attached to the rack. The pivotal shaft allows rotation between the angle member and the side plate. The holding section and the supporting device allows the angle between the angle plate and side plate to be maintained at specific angles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Roland Corporation
    Inventors: Sinichi Matsumoto, Shigeru Sawada
  • Patent number: 7441738
    Abstract: A monitor driving apparatus of a car audio/video system having a monitor is provided. The apparatus includes: a monitor main body hinged, at its lower end, to inside of the car audio/video system, and having a pair of mutually spaced pins provided at one side surface; a sliding plate installed at one side surface of the monitor main body, and having a first guide hole and a second guide hole; a driven gear installed at a gear shaft fixed to the inside of the car audio/video system; a driving arm having one end connected to the second guide hole, and the other end engaged with the driven gear; a worm wheel having a small-diameter part and a large-diameter part, the small-diameter part being toothed with the driving arm; a worm gear toothed with the large-diameter part; and a driving motor for providing a rotary force to the worm gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Hyundai Autonet Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kyung Wook Kim
  • Patent number: 7421762
    Abstract: A hinge of a LCD has a stationary bracket, a first shaft assembly and a second shaft assembly. The LCD had a base and a screen. The stationary bracket is attached to the base. Each shaft assembly is mounted pivotally on the stationary bracket and has an adapting bracket to be attached to the screen. The first shaft assembly has a stationary limiting element, a switching element and a rotating limiting element. The stationary limiting element has a limiting recess with two ends and a narrower stop formed in the limiting recess. The rotating limiting element is pushed by the switching element and has two stops. Pushing the switching element to change the stops of the rotating limiting element respectively corresponding to the narrower stop or the ends of the limiting recess to adjust the limitation of the rotating angle of the screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Shin Zu Shing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sheng-Nan Lu, Jason Chen
  • Patent number: 7419127
    Abstract: An articulated-arm arrangement for plumbing fixtures, for example, a shower head, contains a mounting fixture that may be fastened to a wall. A pivot joint for a wall-mounting arm that may be pivoted about a horizontal axis is accommodated within the mounting fixture. The pivot joint contains a brake for locking the wall-mounting arm in place and a slip-clutch in order to allow pivoting the wall-mounting arm upwards, against the action of its own weight, without releasing the brake from its braking setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Hansgrohe AG
    Inventor: Juergen Buehler
  • Patent number: 7374137
    Abstract: A directional support structure for use with solar panels, flat satellite antennas, and the like items that are directed toward a point in space. The support structure includes a mounting plate with an extension tube extending outwardly therefrom, pivotally secured to a mounting bracket permitting rotational azimuth alignment of the mounting plate. At least one locking turnbuckle is attached between the extension tube and the mounting bracket to provide locking and vertical adjustable alignment of the mounting plate. The base member includes an attached first flange positioned along an upper end of the base member, an attached flaring positioned on the lower end of the mounting bracket, and an unattached second flange positioned over the flaring, securable to the first flange with fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Inventor: Wayne Staney
  • Patent number: 7367376
    Abstract: An articulated arm for awnings is disclosed. The articulated arm comprises an arm and a forearm, joined together by respective articulation configurations located at adjacent ends of the same, which enables them to move between open and closed positions. There is a flexible tie bar inside the arm, with a second end anchored to the articulation configuration of end of the forearm and linked by a first end to an elastic traction element anchored to a fixed point on the arm and an elastic compression element located between a stop on the flexible tie bar and a support of the end of the arm in order to produce tension in the tie bar on moving from the open position to closed, generating torque tending towards the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Llaza, S.A.
    Inventor: Joan Llagostera Forns
  • Patent number: 7334766
    Abstract: A display panel mounting unit comprising a mounting plate and at least two mounting supports. The mounting plate includes first and second support flanges having a longitudinal first member for attachment to a display panel; and a longitudinal second member attached to the first member by a pivot to provide an axis of rotation of the second member relative to the first member. The second member having a first arm on one side of the pivot and a second arm on the other side of the pivot; the first arm having an anchorage at an end remote from the pivot and a first means for retaining the mounting support on the first support flange. The second arm having, at an end remote from the pivot, a second means for retaining the mounting support on the second support flange and a compression member extends between the first member and the anchorage and resiliently biases the anchorage away from the first member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Inventor: Peter Ligertwood
  • Patent number: 7195220
    Abstract: A support arm for stored devices, which is pivotably seated in a holder fastened to a fastening surface and can be horizontally adjusted into a pivoted-in position and a pivoted-out position. In the pivoted-in position the support arm extends approximately parallel with the fastening surface and in the pivoted-in position extends perpendicularly with respect to the fastening surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Rittal GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Paul Root, Markus Neuhof
  • Patent number: 7159833
    Abstract: A coupling device couples a first member and a second member to be relatively slidable and horizontally rotatable. The device is provided with the first member having a keyboard unit section and the second member having a display unit section in respectively separate boxes thereof. The coupling device includes a main body portion having a long guide hole to be attached to either of the first member or the second member in the longitudinal direction, and a movable portion to be attached to the other member of the first member and the second member. The main body includes a case body provided with a long guide groove, and a lid portion provided with a long guide hole, and the movable portion includes a head portion to be passed through the long guide hole and a guide leg portion to be fitted into the long guide groove. When the movable portion is rotatably fitted into the main body, a guide recess portion is provided next to the long guide groove for allowing the guide leg portion to rotate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Katoh Electrical Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideo Kato
  • Patent number: 7137606
    Abstract: An adjustable, channel-mount system for mounting a sign to a shelf includes a spring-loaded mounting bracket having a mounting portion moveably connected to a sign-holding portion and an elongated sign-holder. The sign-holding portion of the mounting bracket features at least one channel. At least one securing element configured for engagement with the at least one channel of the sign-holding portion of the mounting bracket is included on a back surface of the sign-holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Cormark, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas M. Conway, Scott Padiak, Paul C. Evans
  • Patent number: 7063297
    Abstract: A mounting assembly includes first and second mounts that connect two objects, such as an electronic instrument housing and a surface. The first mount engages the second mount at a receptacle by way of cooperating detent members. One mount includes a resilient member, upon which cooperating detent members are disposed. The resilient member provides a bias to cause secure engagement of the cooperating detent members. Other features of the mounting assembly include rotational engagement between first and second cooperating detent members such that the angle of the first mount may be adjusted with respect to the angle of the second mount. Also, lead-ins may be included on the second mount so that the resilient members on the first mount may be depressed to ensure proper engagement of the cooperating detent members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Lowrance Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenton Jopling
  • Patent number: 7036787
    Abstract: A display strut adjusting structure is located on a base seat of a display, comprises an altitude adjusting device and an angle adjusting device. An arc-shaped suppressing plate is located on a sliding plate of the altitude adjusting device, which can push the torsion member of an outer frame component with stability thus enhance the smoothness of the altitude adjusting operation. A braking bar at the end of the outer frame component restricts rotation, and allows strengthening of the stability of the adjusted angle between the display strut adjusting structure and the base seat. A concave ring is designed on the braking bar, when depressed the braking bar causes the concave ring to align with the pivot end, the outer frame component will rotate through the concave ring in relation to the pivot end, thus, adjusting the angle of the display strut adjusting structure and the base seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Taiwan Thick-Film Ind. Corp.
    Inventor: Yung-Sheng Lin
  • Patent number: 6964399
    Abstract: An appliance mounting device for mounting appliances such as flat panel TVs at desirable mounting angles which, in a preferred embodiment, includes a base plate having a back panel and upper and lower flanges, one or more base brackets and associated swing brackets, a spring assembly and a spring force adjustment assembly. The base and swing brackets may be pivotally connected at one end. The spring system may be designed and configured to substantially counterbalance the weight of the appliance. The spring force adjustment assembly may include a carriage associated with the base bracket and an anchor rod to which the spring assembly is connected. Simple threaded fasteners may be employed to lock the brackets to the base plate and to adjust the spring force applied to the swing bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: Lucasey Manufacturing Co.
    Inventor: Edward L. O'Neill
  • Patent number: 6935601
    Abstract: A hook device includes a case member for supporting a hook main portion to be rotatable between a store position and a use position; a stopping portion attached to the case member for regulating the hook main portion at the use position with a predetermined opening angle; and an engaging portion provided to the hook main portion through an elastic member for engaging the stopping portion. The elastic member elastically deforms in a direction that the stopping portion engages the engaging portion when a load is applied to the hook main portion in a direction that the hook main portion opens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Nifco Inc.
    Inventor: Tsutomu Tanaka
  • Patent number: 6886701
    Abstract: A display apparatus having a display main body formed with a display part, further having a lower hinge part provided in a rear lower part of the display main body so as to tilt the display main body against an installation plane and a link assembly provided in a rear upper part of the display main body, and connecting the display main body to the installation plane. The link assembly includes a first link having a first end rotatably connected to the installation plane and an opposite second end and a second link having a first end rotatably connected to the display main body and a second end rotatably connected to the second end of the first link. The link assembly further includes a spring member provided in at least one of the hinge parts of the first and second links and has the elasticity to restore the display main body toward the installation plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., LTD
    Inventors: You-sik Hong, Young-tae Kim, Dae-hyoun Byoun
  • Patent number: 6834837
    Abstract: A surgical instrument support device and method for positioning a surgical instrument relative to a surface of a surgical support platform are disclosed. The support device includes a base member, an elongated support member, an extender bar, and a securing mechanism. The base member is fixably mountable to the surgical support platform. The elongated support member has one end mounted to the base member for pivotal movement of the elongated support member relative to the base member within a pivot plane that is nonparallel to the surface of the surgical support platform. The extender bar is adapted for mounting a surgical instrument with respect thereto and is disposed at the other end of the elongated support member. The extender bar projects from the elongated support member such that the pivotal movement of the elongated support member raises or lowers the extender bar and the surgical instrument mounted with respect thereto with respect to the surface of the surgical support platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Rultract, Inc.
    Inventors: Janice L. Schilt, William J. Kotelee
  • Patent number: 6732988
    Abstract: The invention relates to an articulated arm system (20) for attaching different medical imaging devices (11) to support structures (14) in an articulated manner. The articulated arm comprises at least one parallelogram device (15a, 15b) including a counterbalancing mechanism for holding the articulated arm and the device (11) supported by it in place when the device is located in the desired imaging position. The system further comprises braking and/or locking means (2: 22) which act on at least one strut bar (6, 7) of the said at least one parallelogram device (15a, 15b) and/or on the at least one additional strut bar (1) in order to prevent mutual linear movement of the strut bars (6, 7) of the parallelogram device, and which braking and/or locking means comprise actuators (3-5; 23; 24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Instrumentarium Corp.
    Inventors: Pekka Ihalainen, Jukka Salminen
  • Patent number: 6694891
    Abstract: A foldable desk includes a desk top, a support post, and a base. The support post is formed of an outer tube and an inner tube slidably received in the outer tube. The desk top is provided with a retaining block, which is disengageably meshed with a retaining block of the top end of the inner tube of the support post. The outer tube is provided at the bottom end with a support seat which is rotatably fastened to the base in conjunction with a locating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Inventor: Hsiu-Chen Lai
  • Patent number: 6644611
    Abstract: An adjustable inclined angle structure of a computer. It mainly uses a pair of rotating disks to adjust and fix the inclined angle of a computer when it is installed. One of rotating disks use a handlebar with spring pin to buckle up with dividing holes of the rotating disk to fix the inclined angle. Another rotating disk has a long hole corresponding to an anchor element to limit a starting point and an end point of inclined angle travel caused by the above-mentioned dividing holes so that it can be used to adjust the inclined angle of computer, and avoid falling down due to an over-adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Mitac Technology Corp.
    Inventor: Kuang-Cheng Tai
  • Patent number: 6581893
    Abstract: A stand for an LCD monitor with a back is composed of a locking member, a first pivoting member, a second pivoting member, a monitor bracket, a base and two base brackets. The monitor bracket is attached to the back of the LCD monitor. The pivoting members are securely attached to the base brackets on the base. The monitor bracket can be pivoted relative to the base by using the pivoting members, so that the LCD monitor is folded to reduce its overall volume for packing, storing or transporting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Shin Zu Shing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sheng-Nan Lu
  • Patent number: 6575419
    Abstract: The disclosed system is directed towards a universal support system. The universal support system comprises a pair of arched bases and an arched beam coupled to the pair of arched bases. The universal support system also includes a multi-hinge rotatably coupled to the arched beam and a mounting bracket rotatably coupled to the multi-hinge, wherein the mounting bracket conforms with a mounting bracket standard for mounting displays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Kuni Masuda, Joe Miseli, James Stanton