Dual display system

Abstract

A display system includes a base, a pair of electronic displays, and an arm assembly that supports the displays from the base in vertical or horizontal registration. In one implementation, the arm assembly is a single telescopic member that rotates relative to the base and locks in vertical and horizontal orientations, the displays rotate relative to the member between corresponding extreme angular positions in which the operative angular orientation of the displays relative to horizontal is maintained, and the length of the member is adjusted to minimize separation of the displays. In another implementation, the arm assembly has separate arms rotating about vertically spaced axes and linked to minimize the separation of the displays automatically when vertically or horizontally registered. In a simple implementation, the arm assembly is a rigid arm that releasably attaches to the base only in vertical and horizontal orientations, the displays mounted releasably to the arm in pre-defined angular orientations that preserve their operative angular orientation, and one display can be connected to the arm at spaced apart position to adjust separation of the displays.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe invention relates generally to electronic displays used with computers, and more particularly, to a display system permitting convenient positioning of dual displays.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONComputers are readily adapted to operate multiple displays. Paired monitors are useful when large amounts of related information, such as data or graphics, must be compared. Paired monitors can be inconvenient, however, where limited desk space is available. Also, in some instances information may be best presented with the monitors horizontally aligned, and in other instances, with the monitors vertically aligned. Conventional practices do not permit such selection or changing of monitor orientations.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn one aspect, the invention provides a display system comprising a base, a pair of electronic displays, and means for positioning the displays selectively in vertically registered relationship and in horizontally registered relationship. The posi...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

In yet another implementation, the spacing between horizontally elongate displays is automatically adjusted as the arm assembly is displaced between orientations that place the displays in horizontal and vertical registration. The arm assembly comprises a pair of horizontally spaced apart arms rotating in parallel planes. Means supporting the arm assembly from the base comprise upper and lower rotary shafts in parallel relationship. One arm has its fixed end fixed to the upper shaft such that the arm rotates in a plane perpendicular to the upper shaft. The other arm has a fixed end fixed to the lower shaft such that the other arm rotates in a plane perpendicular to the lower shaft in response to rotation of the upper shaft. In their vertically registered relationship, a predetermined one of the displays is located below the other display. The one display (lower when vertically registered) is mounted to the free end of the one arm fixed to the upper shaft, and the other display (upper when vertically registered) is mounted to the free end of the other arm fixed to the lower shaft. Since one arm extends downwardly to support the lower display and the other arm extends upwardly to support the upper display, the center-to-center spacing between the displays is effectively reduced when registered. However, when the arms are rotated outwardly to position the displays in horizontal registration, the center-to-center spacing increases.

Problems solved by technology

Paired monitors can be inconvenient, however, where limited desk space is available.

Conventional practices do not permit such selection or changing of monitor orientations.

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