US4783036A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Adjustable support
Assignee: Ergotron Inc
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Filing: 1987-04-16
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Granted: 1988-11-08
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Expires: 2007-04-16
Abstract
Abstract An adjustable support allows a computer terminal or display device to be conveniently positioned above a desk. The support includes a platform for holding the terminal and a pivotally connected linkage assembly comprising proximal and distal arms for vertically and horizontally positioning the platform, the distal arm having the platform mounted thereon. The proximal arm comprises a set of members forming an articulated parallelogram structure, the proximal end of which is rotatable about a vertical post clamped to the desk. The vertical position of the terminal may be adjusted by changing the shape of the articulated parallelogram structure. As the shape of the parallelogram structure changes, the elevation of the distal end of the proximal arm changes which in turn affects the vertical position of the platform and display device.
Inventors
- 👤 Sohrab Vossoughi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 22:29
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16M; F16M13/00; F16M13/02; F16M13/022; F16M11/00; F16M11/20; F16M11/2007; F16M11/2014; F16M11/2092; F16M11/24; F16M2200/00; F16M2200/04; F16M2200/044; F16M2200/06; F16M2200/063; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S248/00; Y10S248/917; Y10S248/919; Y10S248/921
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
138 words
An adjustable support comprising: a first pivot mechanism defining a first axis of rotation; a second pivot mechanism defining a second axis of rotation which lies in a plane parallel to a plane containing the first axis of rotation; and a polygonal structure connecting the first pivot mechanism to the second pivot mechanism, wherein said polygonal structure comprises: a top member; a bottom member a proximal member a distal member means coupling the top member, bottom member, proximal member, and distal member to form an articulated parallelogram structure; a constraint link having a first end and a second end, the first end coupled to the top member and the second end coupled to the bottom member; and torque means for applying torque to the constraint link about an axis which is perpendicular to the plane of the parallelogram.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
138 words
An adjustable support comprising: a first pivot mechanism defining a first axis of rotation; a second pivot mechanism defining a second axis of rotation which lies in a plane parallel to a plane containing the first axis of rotation; and a polygonal structure connecting the first pivot mechanism to the second pivot mechanism, wherein said polygonal structure comprises: a top member; a bottom member a proximal member a distal member means coupling the top member, bottom member, proximal member, and distal member to form an articulated parallelogram structure; a constraint link having a first end and a second end, the first end coupled to the top member and the second end coupled to the bottom member; and torque means for applying torque to the constraint link about an axis which is perpendicular to the plane of the parallelogram.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
An adjustable support according to claim 1, wherein the constraint link comprises a worm gear and the torque means comprises a worm meshed to the worm gear, the worm having an actuating member attached thereto.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
An adjustable support according to claim 1, wherein the proximal member is connected to the first pivot mechanism and the distal member is connected to the second pivot mechanism.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
An adjustable support according to claim 1, further comprising a sleeve member within which the articulated parallelogram is disposed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
An adjustable support according to claim 4, wherein the proximal member and the distal member are each connected to the sleeve member at a location that is equidistant from the point of connection to the top member and the bottom member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
An adjustable support according to claim 5, wherein the constraint link is a worm gear; the torque means is a worm meshed to the worm gear, the worm having an actuating member attached thereto; and the worm is held against the worm gear by the sleeve member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
An adjustable support according to claim 4, wherein the distal member and the proximal member are rotationally riveted to the sleeve.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
83 words
An adjustable support comprising: a top member; a bottom member; a proximal member; a distal member; means coupling the top member, bottom member, proximal member, and distal member to form an articulated parallelogram structure; a constraint link having a first end and a second end, the first rotatably end coupled to the top member and the second end rotatably coupled to the bottom member; and torque means for applying torque to the constraint link about an axis which is perpendicular to the parallelogram.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
83 words
An adjustable support comprising: a top member; a bottom member; a proximal member; a distal member; means coupling the top member, bottom member, proximal member, and distal member to form an articulated parallelogram structure; a constraint link having a first end and a second end, the first rotatably end coupled to the top member and the second end rotatably coupled to the bottom member; and torque means for applying torque to the constraint link about an axis which is perpendicular to the parallelogram.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
An adjustable support according to claim 8, wherein the constraint link is a worm gear and the torque means is a worm meshed to the worm gear, the worm having an actuating member attached thereto.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
An adjustable support according to claim 8, wherein the proximal member is connected to the first pivot mechanism and the distal member is connected to the second pivot mechanism.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
An adjustable support according to claim 8, further comprising a sleeve member within which the articulated parallelogram structure is disposed, the proximal member and the distal member each being pivotally connected to the sleeve member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
37 words
An adjustable support according to claim 11, wherein the proximal member and the distal member are each connected to the sleeve member at a location that is equidistant from the the top member and the bottom member.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
45 words
An adjustable support according to claim 12, wherein the constraint link comprises a worm gear and the torque means comprises a worm meshed to the worm gear, the worm having an actuating member attached thereto and held against the worm gear by the sleeve member.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
139 words
An adjustable support comprising: a pivot mechanism defining an axis of rotation; a mounting mechanism; support means coupled to the mounting mechanism and held against movement relative to the mounting mechanism in a direction having a component parallel to said axis of rotation; and a polygonal structure connecting the pivot mechanism to the mounting mechanism, wherein said polygonal structure comprises: a top member; a bottom member a proximal member a distal member means coupling the top member, bottom member, proximal member, and distal member to form an articulated parallelogram; a constraint link having a first end and a second end, the first end coupled to the top member and the second end coupled to the bottom member; and torque means for applying torque to the constraint link about an axis which is perpendicular to the plane of the parallelogram.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
139 words
An adjustable support comprising: a pivot mechanism defining an axis of rotation; a mounting mechanism; support means coupled to the mounting mechanism and held against movement relative to the mounting mechanism in a direction having a component parallel to said axis of rotation; and a polygonal structure connecting the pivot mechanism to the mounting mechanism, wherein said polygonal structure comprises: a top member; a bottom member a proximal member a distal member means coupling the top member, bottom member, proximal member, and distal member to form an articulated parallelogram; a constraint link having a first end and a second end, the first end coupled to the top member and the second end coupled to the bottom member; and torque means for applying torque to the constraint link about an axis which is perpendicular to the plane of the parallelogram.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
62 words
An adjustable support according to claim 14, wherein said support means includes: a sleeve connected to said platform; bracket means receiving said sleeve, said sleeve, having a first and a second end, therein; friction means providing adjustable friction between said bracket means and said sleeve; and limit means defining a range of motion of said sleeve in relation to said bracket means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
32 words
An adjustable support according to claim 15, wherein said limit means includes: a groove formed in said platform; and a peg connected to said bracket means, said peg extending into said groove.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
55 words
An adjustable support according to claim 16, wherein said groove has a first end and a second end and said range of motion of said sleeve is bounded at a point where said peg contacts said first end of said groove and at a point where said peg contacts said second end of said groove.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
41 words
An adjustable support according to claim 15, wherein said support means further comprises a rod, having a first end and a second end, about which said sleeve rotates and said friction means includes knobs threadable at the ends of said rod.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-11-08 | 1992-05-09 | 1992-11-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-11-08 | 1996-05-09 | 1996-11-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-11-08 | 2000-05-09 | 2000-11-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |