Adjustable support arm

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11867355-B2
Application number	US-202217974737-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 27, 2022
Priority date	Apr 2, 2018
Publication date	Jan 9, 2024
Grant date	Jan 9, 2024

Abstract

An adjustable support arm capable of providing users with a wide range of height, depth, tilt, and swivel options. The adjustable support arm may comprise an arm assembly releasably mounted to a base assembly. In further embodiments, the adjustable support arm may also comprise an articulating joint connected to the arm assembly, and an accessory bracket assembly connected to the articulating joint. A quick-release joint comprising a spring-loaded pivot latch may be utilized to releasably connect the arm assembly to the base assembly. To dampen side-to-side movement of the arm assembly, the adjustable support arm may also comprise a friction cartridge assembly comprising a taper-lock bushing and one or more set screws. A ring-shaped, adjustable panning insert can be coupled to the arm assembly to restrict the range of side-to-side motion of the support arm. The adjustable arm can further comprise a quick-release accessory fastening mechanism for easy removal and attachment of a mounted object (e.g., an electronic display, keyboard, or other item) to the support arm.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An adjustable support arm comprising:
a) a base assembly; and
b) an arm assembly;
c) a connector shaft; and
d) a quick-release joint for releasably connecting the arm assembly to the base assembly, the quick-release joint comprising:
i) a latch comprising a protrusion;
ii) an axle extending through an aperture formed in the latch to pivotally connect the latch to the base assembly, the axle defining a fulcrum about which the latch pivots;
iii) a spring for biasing the protrusion into engagement with an indentation formed in a first end of the connector shaft.

2. The adjustable support arm of claim 1 , wherein the base assembly comprises a base plate adapted to be positioned on a top of a work surface, a post extending upward from the base plate, a clamp bracket attached to the base plate and extending below the work surface, and a screw threadingly engaged with the clamp bracket.

3. The adjustable support arm of claim 1 , wherein a first end of the connector shaft is positioned within a central bore of the base assembly, and wherein a second end of the connector shaft is positioned within the central chamber of the arm assembly.

4. The adjustable support arm of claim 1 , wherein the adjustable support arm further comprises a mounting plate connected to the arm assembly.

5. The adjustable support arm of claim 4 , wherein the adjustable support arm further comprises an accessory bracket assembly releasably attached to the mounting plate, the accessory bracket assembly comprising: a central bracket; a frame disposed around the central bracket, the frame having an outer periphery; at least one accessory mount attached to the outer periphery of the frame; and a first accessory support having a first end coupled to the accessory mount.

6. The adjustable support arm of claim 5 , wherein the mounting plate comprises a fastening mechanism, wherein the fastening mechanism comprises: i) a spring-loaded latch protruding from a front side of the mounting plate for engaging a first opening formed in the central bracket, and ii) a hook protruding from the front side of the mounting plate for engaging a second opening formed in the central bracket.

7. The adjustable support arm of claim 1 , wherein the adjustable support arm further comprises i) an adjustable panning insert positioned between the base assembly and the arm assembly for limiting rotation of the arm assembly about an axis formed between the arm assembly and the base assembly, wherein the base assembly comprises a housing adapted to receive the adjustable panning insert; and ii) a bearing positioned within the housing of the base assembly and operatively engaging the connector shaft.

8. The adjustable support arm of claim 7 , wherein the arm assembly comprises:
a) a first arm comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the first arm is releasably coupled to the base assembly;
b) a second arm releasably coupled to the second end of the first arm, the second arm comprising a parallelogram linkage having a first end pivotally attached to a lower bracket and a second end pivotally attached to an upper bracket.

9. The adjustable support arm of claim 8 , wherein the adjustable support arm further comprises: i) a first adjustable panning insert positioned between the first arm and the base assembly to limit rotation of the first arm about the base assembly; and ii) a second adjustable panning insert positioned between the second arm and the first arm to limit rotation of the second arm about the first arm.

10. The adjustable support arm of claim 9 , wherein each of the first and second adjustable panning inserts comprise an outer wall; an inner wall; a first end; a second end; first and second splines positioned in a stacked orientation around the inner wall of the adjustable panning insert; and first and second projections extending from the second end of the adjustable panning insert, wherein the first projection is spaced apart from the second projection.

11. The adjustable support arm of claim 10 , wherein the housing comprises:
a) a channel formed in an upper end of the housing, the channel defining an outer wall and an inner wall; and
b) a spline having a plurality of teeth and one or more pockets, wherein the spline is positioned along an outer periphery of the inner wall such that the plurality of teeth extend laterally from the inner wall and partially into the channel for mating with either the first or second splines of the adjustable panning insert, and wherein the one or more pockets are adapted to receive and mate with the first and second projections of the adjustable panning insert.

12. The adjustable support arm of claim 11 , wherein the arm assembly comprises:
a) a central chamber; and
b) a groove adjacent to the central chamber and having an anterior portion and a posterior portion, and
c) a stop positioned within the groove.

13. The adjustable support arm of claim 12 , wherein the adjustable panning insert is coupled to the housing of the base assembly in an orientation selected from the group consisting of:
a) a first orientation defined by the second spline and the one or more pockets of the adjustable panning insert being mated to the spline formed in the channel of the base assembly such that the first and second projections of the adjustable panning insert extend into the one or more pockets of the spline formed in the housing of the base assembly;
b) a second orientation defined by the first spline of the adjustable panning insert being mated to the spline formed in the channel of the base assembly housing such that the first and second projections of the adjustable panning insert extend into the groove; and
c) a third orientation defined by the first spline of the adjustable panning insert being mated to the spline formed in the channel of the base assembly such that the first and second projections of the adjustable panning insert extend into the posterior portion of the groove.

14. An adjustable support arm comprising:
a) a base mounted to a work surface;
b) an arm assembly comprising:
i) a first arm having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is coupled to the base;
ii) a second arm comprising a first end, a second end, and a parallelogram linkage, wherein the first end of the second arm is mated to the second end of the first arm;

c) a connector shaft, wherein a first end of the connector shaft is positioned within a channel of the first arm, and wherein a second end of the connector shaft is positioned within a central chamber of the second arm;
d) a quick-release joint for releasably connecting the second arm to the first arm, the quick-release joint comprising:
i) a latch comprising a protrusion;
ii) an axle extending through an aperture formed in the latch to pivotally connect the latch to the second end of the first arm, the axle defining a fulcrum about which the latch pivots;
iii) a spring for biasing the protrusion into engagement with an indentation formed in the first end of the connector shaft.

15. The adjustable support arm of claim 14 , wherein the adjustable support arm further comprises: an adjustable panning insert positioned between the first arm and the second arm for limiting rotation of the second arm about an axis formed between the first and second arms.

16. The adjustable support arm of claim 14 , wherein the adjustable support arm further comprises a mounting plate mated to the second end of the second arm.

17. The adjustable support arm of claim 16 , wherein the mounting plate is mated to the

Assignees

• Humanscale Corp

Inventors

• Glickstein Jacob
• Bender Steve
• Velazquez Ross
• Yoch Travis

Classifications

• F16M11/041

  Allowing quick release of the apparatus · CPC title

• F16M13/022 Primary

  repositionable · CPC title

• F16M11/2014

  around a vertical axis (F16M11/2035 takes precedence) · CPC title

• F16M11/26

  by telescoping, with or without folding (details concerning the constructional features of telescoping parts only F16B7/10) · CPC title

• F16M11/2092

  comprising means allowing depth adjustment, i.e. forward-backward translation of the head relatively to the undercarriage · CPC title