Pivot assembly and support system

Abstract

Multi-jointed and pivoted mounting systems for support of a flat panel video display and/or keyboard tray, incorporating a plurality of pivot points providing for pivotal motion of one or more components about a plurality of vertical and horizontal axes. Support arms having elevational pivot assemblies, including plastic friction washers and gas springs, offer elevational arm control requiring constant and predetermined positioning effort on the part of the video display operator and keyboard operator.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A component support system comprising: 
 an arm having a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis;    a surface mounting portion coupled to the first end of the arm;    a component mounting portion coupled to the second end of the arm;    an elevational pivot joint coupled to the arm, the elevational pivot joint having a range of motion that includes a position wherein the longitudinal axis of the arm is substantially parallel to a wall surface;    an adjustable spring mount coupled to the elevational pivot joint, the spring mount having an adjustable load counterbalance mechanism that determines an adjustable counterbalance force in the range of motion; and    a spring having a first spring and a second spring end, the first spring end attached to the adjustable spring mount, and the second spring end attached to the arm, the spring providing a countering force to rotation of the arm.    
     
     
         2 . The component support system of  claim 1 , wherein the spring includes a gas spring.  
     
     
         3 . The component support system of  claim 1 , wherein the adjustable spring mount includes a threaded adjusting member.  
     
     
         4 . The component support system of  claim 1 , wherein the threaded member is mounted in an orientation with respect to a wall surface that provides a uniform counterbalancing force through the range of motion.  
     
     
         5 . The component support system of  claim 4 , wherein the orientation includes an angle greater than zero degrees with respect to the wall surface.  
     
     
         6 . The component support system of  claim 1 , wherein the elevational pivot joint includes a polymer friction washer.  
     
     
         7 . The component support system of  claim 6 , wherein the polymer friction washer includes a number of material properties including: 
 a static coefficient of friction; and    a dynamic coefficient of friction substantially the same as the static coefficient of friction.    
     
     
         8 . The component support system of  claim 6 , wherein the polymer friction washer includes a high molecular weight polymer.  
     
     
         9 . The component support system of  claim 8 , wherein the high molecular weight polymer includes ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE).  
     
     
         10 . The component support system of  claim 10 , wherein the component mounting portion includes a computer monitor mounting portion.  
     
     
         11 . The component support system of  claim 10 , wherein the computer monitor mounting portion includes a flat panel display mounting portion.  
     
     
         12 . A component support system comprising: 
 an arm having a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis;    a surface mounting portion coupled to the first end of the arm;    a component mounting portion coupled to the second end of the arm;    an elevational pivot joint coupled to the arm, the elevational pivot joint having a range of motion of substantially 180 degrees;    an adjustable spring mount coupled to the elevational pivot joint, the spring mount having an adjustable load counterbalance mechanism that determines an adjustable counterbalance force in the range of motion; and    a spring attached at a first spring end to the adjustable spring mount, and a second spring end attached to the arm, the spring providing a countering force to rotation of the arm.    
     
     
         13 . The component support system of  claim 12 , wherein the surface mounting portion is adapted to mount to a vertical surface.  
     
     
         14 . The component support system of  claim 12 , wherein the surface mounting portion is adapted to mount to a horizontal surface.  
     
     
         15 . The component support system of  claim 12 , wherein the spring includes a gas spring.  
     
     
         16 . The component support system of  claim 12 , wherein the adjustable spring mount includes a threaded adjusting member.  
     
     
         17 . The component support system of  claim 12 , wherein the threaded member is mounted in an orientation with respect to a wall surface that provides a uniform counterbalancing force through the entire range of motion.  
     
     
         18 . A method of manufacturing a component support system comprising: 
 forming an arm having a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis;    coupling a surface mounting portion to the first end of the arm;    coupling a component mounting portion to the second end of the arm;    coupling an elevational pivot joint to the arm, the elevational pivot joint having a range of motion that includes a position wherein the longitudinal axis of the arm is substantially parallel to a wall surface;    coupling an adjustable spring mount to the elevational pivot joint, the spring mount having an adjustable load counterbalance mechanism that determines an adjustable counterbalance force in the range of motion; and    attaching a spring to the adjustable spring mount at a first spring end, and to the arm at a second spring end, the spring providing a countering force to rotation of the arm.    
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein coupling the adjustable spring mount to the elevational pivot joint includes coupling a threaded adjusting member to the elevational pivot joint.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein attaching the spring to the adjustable spring mount includes attaching a gas spring to the adjustable spring mount.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein coupling the elevational pivot joint to the arm includes coupling a polymer friction washer to the arm with the elevational pivot joint.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein coupling the polymer friction washer to the arm includes coupling a polymer friction washer to the arm that provides a static coefficient of friction and a dynamic coefficient of friction that are substantially the same.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein coupling the polymer friction washer to the arm includes coupling a high molecular weight polymer friction washer to the arm.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein coupling the high molecular weight polymer friction washer to the arm includes coupling an ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) friction washer to the arm.  
     
     
         25 . A method of supporting a component, the component coupled to an arm at a component end, the arm coupled to a surface at a mounting end, comprising: 
 pivoting an end of the arm about an elevational pivot joint to a desired pivot position, the elevational pivot joint having a range of motion that includes a position wherein a longitudinal axis of the arm is substantially parallel to a wall surface; and    adjusting an adjustable spring mount that is coupled to the elevational pivot joint, the adjustment of the adjustable spring mount achieving a load counterbalance force in the range of motion that substantially offsets a downward component force.    
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein adjusting the adjustable spring mount includes adjusting a threaded adjusting member.