Tilt mechanism for a display
View Patent ↗Embodiments provide a tilt mechanism for tilting an electronic display that includes at least two nested torsion springs to offset and/or balance the torque generated by a display acting on the tilt mechanism. In some cases a tilt mechanism includes first and second brackets pivotally coupled about a tilt axis. First and second springs are wound about a tilt axis such that the first spring is located at least partially within the second spring. The springs engage with the brackets to exert first and second torques between the first and the second brackets. In some cases such tilt mechanisms can be carried by stands, arms, carts, and the like. Methods of tilting electronic displays are also provided.
1. An apparatus, comprising:
an electronic display mount configured to couple to and support an electronic display;
a support member for supporting the electronic display mount with respect to a support surface; and
a tilt mechanism coupled between the electronic display mount and the support member, the tilt mechanism comprising:
a first bracket coupled to the electronic display mount;
a second bracket coupled to the support member and pivotally coupled to the first bracket about a tilt axis;
a first spring wound about the tilt axis and comprising a first end engaged with the first bracket and a second end engaged with the second bracket, the first spring exerting a first torque between the first and the second brackets in a first direction about the tilt axis; and
a second spring wound about the first spring and the tilt axis such that the first spring is located at least partially within the second spring, the second spring comprising a first end engaged with the first bracket and a second end engaged with the second bracket, the second spring exerting a second torque between the first and the second brackets in the first direction about the tilt axis.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a first mandrel located within the first spring and a second mandrel located between the first spring and the second spring so that the first spring is at least partially within the second mandrel.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first spring and the second spring are helical torsion springs concentric about the tilt axis.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a torque adjustment mechanism configured to provide an adjustable engagement between the first bracket and at least one of the first end of the first spring and the first end of the second spring.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the torque adjustment mechanism comprises an adjustable screw and a plunger that engages the first ends of both the first and the second springs.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first bracket and the second bracket are coupled to a shaft coaxial with the tilt axis to provide an angular range of motion between the first bracket and the second bracket of less than one rotation about the tilt axis.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the support member comprises at least one of a support column, a support arm, a wall mount, and a riser.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the support member is a first support member, the tilt mechanism is a first tilt mechanism, and further comprising:
a base configured to rest upon the support surface, wherein the first support member is coupled between the base and the first tilt mechanism;
a second tilt mechanism coupled between the first tilt mechanism and the electronic display mount; and
a second support member coupled between the first tilt mechanism and the second tilt mechanism;
wherein rotation of the first bracket about the tilt axis toward the second bracket of the first tilt mechanism translates the second tilt mechanism toward the base.
9. A method for tilting an electronic display coupled to a support member by a tilt mechanism, the method comprising:
providing the tilt mechanism, the tilt mechanism including:
a first bracket coupled to the electronic display mount;
a second bracket coupled to the support member and pivotally coupled to the first bracket about a tilt axis;
a first spring wound about the tilt axis and comprising a first end engaged with the first bracket and a second end engaged with the second bracket; and
a second spring wound about the first spring and the tilt axis such that the first spring is located at least partially within the second spring, the second spring comprising a first end engaged with the first bracket and a second end engaged with the second bracket;
moving the electronic display in a first direction about a tilt axis, comprising:
rotating the first tilt bracket coupled to the electronic display through a first angular range of motion about the tilt axis with respect to a second tilt bracket coupled to the support member;
loading the first spring wound about the tilt axis with a first torque corresponding to a first portion of the electronic display's weight;
loading the second spring wound about the first spring and the tilt axis, such that the first spring is located at least partially within the second spring, with a second torque corresponding to a second portion of the electronic display's weight.
10. The method of claim 9 , further comprising moving the electronic display in a second direction about a tilt axis, comprising:
rotating the first tilt bracket with respect to the second tilt bracket through a second angular range of motion about the tilt axis in a direction opposite from the rotating through the first angular range of motion;
exerting a third torque between the first and the second tilt brackets with the first spring to counteract a corresponding portion of the electronic display's weight; and
exerting a fourth torque between the first and the second tilt brackets with the second spring to counteract a corresponding portion of the electronic display's weight.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein moving the electronic display in the first direction about the tilt axis and moving the electronic display in the second direction about the tilt axis each comprises tilting the electronic display with respect to the tilt axis.
12. The method of claim 10 , wherein moving the electronic display in the first direction about the tilt axis and moving the electronic display in the second direction about the tilt axis each comprises translating the electronic display with respect to the tilt axis.
13. The method of claim 10 , further comprising adjusting a tension of at least one of the first spring and the second spring.
14. An apparatus, comprising:
an electronic display mount configured to couple to and support an electronic display;
a first support member for supporting the electronic display mount with respect to a support surface; and
a first tilt mechanism coupled between the electronic display mount and the first support member, the first tilt mechanism comprising:
a fist bracket coupled to the electronic display mount;
a second bracket coupled to the first support member and pivotally coupled to the first bracket about a tilt axis;
a first spring wound about the tilt axis and comprising a first end engaged with the first bracket and a second end engaged with the second bracket, the first spring exerting a first torque between the first and the second brackets in a first direction about the tilt axis; and
a second spring wound about the first spring and the tilt axis such that the first spring is located at least partially within the second spring, the second spring comprising a first end engaged with the first bracket and a second end engaged with the second bracket, the second spring exerting a second torque between the first and the second brackets in the first direction about the tilt axis;
a base configured to rest upon the support surface, wherein the first support member is coupled between the base and the first tilt mechanism;
a second tilt mechanism coupled between the first tilt mechanism and the electronic display mount; and
a second support member coupled between the first tilt mechanism and the second tilt mechanism,
wherein rotation of the first bracket about tilt axis toward the second bracket of the first tilt mechanism translates the second tilt mechanism toward the base.