A reconfigurable stent ecosystem

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a reconfigurable support ecosystem. Support systems and supports for electronic devices include tilt hinges, lifting arms and component parts thereof. Some tilt hinges include components for guiding and holding rods or protrusions into preferred positions within receiving member openings to integrate these parts (especially when these parts move) and reduce swing or tilt in the joints. The lifting arm provides a simplified and low-cost guiding and balancing mechanism for controlling the movement of the electronic device relative to the base of the support. In some cases, the lifting arm has a sheath to help protect or cover the mechanism while allowing the mechanism within the lifting arm to have additional space. Other interconnection systems hide and protect the connector interface between the support and the electronic device within the housing until unlocked and the connector is moved to an exposed position. These systems improve the efficiency, comfort, ergonomics, accessibility and user satisfaction of electronic devices and their supports.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 172,413, filed on April 8, 2021, entitled “RECONFIGURABLE STAND ECOSYSTEM,” the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. Technical Field

[0003] Embodiments described herein generally relate to stands, arms, and other supports for electronic devices. More specifically, the present embodiments relate to connection assemblies for adjusting the tilt, height, and attachment state of a computing device and its support. Background Art

[0004] Computing device manufacturers are constantly seeking to improve the user experience in terms of device assembly, portability, ergonomics, aesthetics, and durability. For some devices, such as computer monitors, display screens, touch screens, or "all-in-one" computers (i.e., computer monitors that also contain a processor and other computing components), the rear-facing side of the device's housing may be covered with unsightly and distracting wires, hinges, markings, ports, labels, fasteners, and other components. Although device manufacturers may find ways to reduce or eliminate those undesirable features, the redesigned devices often lack versatility, such as being compatible with only one stand, and in many cases, not being removable from the stand at all.

[0005] Additionally, users often prefer that the stand for their device, whether it is adjusted, tilted, lifted, moved or replaced, has a high-quality, sturdy feel. Providing these features is often costly due to high part complexity, difficulty in manufacturing or shipping, and expensive custom parts and materials. Summary of the invention

[0006] Aspects of the present disclosure relate to connectors and connector systems for electronic device supports. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the connector includes: a first shaft capable of being attached to an electronic device, wherein the first shaft has a first set of guide surfaces; a second shaft capable of being attached to a support rod, wherein the second shaft has a second set of guide surfaces; and a fastener inserted into an opening formed in at least one of the first shaft and the second shaft. The first set of guide surfaces can be driven into the second set of guide surfaces in response to rotation of the fastener in the opening, wherein the contact between the first set of guide surfaces and the second set of guide surfaces secures the first shaft to the second shaft with at least five degrees of freedom.

[0007] In some embodiments, the fastener includes a head portion, a shank, and a threaded portion, wherein the shank has an increased diameter portion relative to the threaded portion, wherein the threaded portion engages a first shaft, wherein the increased diameter portion engages a second shaft, wherein the guide surfaces of the first set of guide surfaces are angled non-orthogonally relative to each other, and wherein the guide surfaces of the second set of guide surfaces are angled non-orthogonally relative to each other and are positioned in apertures in the second shaft.

[0008] In some embodiments, contact between the first set of guide surfaces and the second set of guide surfaces can secure the first shaft to the second shaft in six degrees of freedom. The opening can include a first surface positioned at a non-orthogonal angle relative to an axis of rotation of the fastener, wherein movement of the fastener parallel to the axis of rotation moves the first surface in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation.

[0009] In some embodiments, the first shaft and the second shaft may form a pivotable joint having a pivot axis coaxial with a central longitudinal axis of the fastener. The fastener may include a fastener shoulder that contacts an opening shoulder in the opening and prevents movement of the first shaft relative to the second shaft.

[0010] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a connection system that links an electronic device to a support device, wherein the system includes an electronic device that includes a housing, a display screen positioned in the housing, and a first connector extending from the housing, the first connector having a first pair of tapered surfaces. The system also includes a support device that includes an arm structure and a second connector that can be attached to the first connector of the electronic device, wherein the second connector has a second pair of tapered surfaces, and the first connector and the second connector form a pivotable arm. The system may also include a fastener that contacts the first connector and the second connector, wherein in response to installing the fastener to the first connector and the second connector, the first pair of tapered surfaces can be driven into contact with the second pair of tapered surfaces.

[0011] In some embodiments, the first connector may include a first connector axis positioned between a first pair of tapered surfaces, and the second connector may include a second connector axis positioned between a second pair of tapered surfaces. In response to installing a fastener to the first connector and the second connector, the first connector axis may be aligned with the second connector axis. In some embodiments, the first pair of tapered surfaces expands into contact with the second pair of tapered surfaces in response to installing the fastener, or the second pair of tapered surfaces expands into contact with the first pair of tapered surfaces in response to installing the fastener.

[0012] The fastener may also include a longitudinal axis and a drive surface, wherein the drive surface is configured to engage an inclined surface of the first connector or the second connector, and wherein the inclined surface is angled relative to the longitudinal axis of the fastener. In some embodiments, the rotation of the fastener around the axis of rotation is configured to drive the first pair of tapered surfaces and the second pair of tapered surfaces into contact with each other. The rotation of the fastener around the axis of rotation can drive the first connector or the second connector in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation. The fastener may also include a cam surface, which is configured to move into contact with the first connector or the second connector when the fastener is installed.

[0013] Yet another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a support for an electronic device, wherein the support comprises an arm structure; a device attachment structure that is engaged with or capable of being connected to the electronic device and has a threaded opening; a joint that comprises a first structure anchored to the arm structure and a second structure anchored to the device attachment structure, wherein the first structure rotates about a rotation axis relative to the second structure; and a fastener having a shoulder portion that engages the second structure and a threaded portion that engages the threaded opening of the device attachment structure and maintains the second structure in contact with at least two spaced-apart surfaces of the device attachment structure.

[0014] In some embodiments, the circular surface of the second structure contacts at least two spaced-apart surfaces of the first structure. The at least two spaced-apart surfaces of the first structure may be positioned within an opening in the first structure. The shoulder portion may include a first shoulder surface that contacts an opposing shoulder surface of the first structure. The joint may include an energy storage device having a central axis coaxial with the rotational axis of the joint. The fastener may include a central axis coaxial with the rotational axis of the joint. The outer surface of the second structure may be capable of moving between a contact position and a disengaged position relative to the inner surface of the first structure in response to rotation of the device attachment structure about the rotational axis of the joint.

[0015] Yet another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a support bracket for an electronic device. The support bracket may include an arm assembly, the arm assembly including: a device attachment structure having a first attachment point and a second attachment point; a support structure having a third attachment point and a fourth attachment point; a first arm pivotally connected to the first attachment point and the third attachment point; and a second arm pivotally connected to the second attachment point and the fourth attachment point. The support bracket may also include a balancing mechanism, the balancing mechanism including: a spring having a first end and a second end; a retainer pivotally connected to the arm assembly at a first pivot point and engaging the first end of the spring; and a rod connecting the second end of the spring to the arm assembly at a second pivot point, wherein the first pivot point is spaced apart from the second pivot point. Rotation of the arm assembly in a first rotational direction around the third attachment point and the fourth attachment point can store energy in the spring via movement of the rod relative to the retainer.

[0016] In some embodiments, the first attachment point, the second attachment point, the third attachment point, and the fourth attachment point form a parallelogram. The arm assembly may also include a retainer rod attached to the first arm and attached to the second arm, wherein the first pivot point is positioned on the retainer rod. The retainer may include a protrusion or convex portion that engages the first end of the spring. The rod may not be parallel to at least the first arm. In response to the rotation of the first arm around the third attachment point, the rod may rotate at an angular velocity different from the first arm. The angle between the longitudinal axis of the first arm and the longitudinal axis of the rod may decrease in response to the rotation of the first arm around the third attachment point.

[0017] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to an arm for supporting a bracket. The arm may include a housing having a hollow interior and an end opening aligned with a longitudinal axis of the housing, wherein the hollow interior has an inner surface; and a device connector assembly, the device connector assembly including: a sheath at least partially positioned within the hollow interior, covering the end opening, and having an end portion contacting the inner surface; and a device connector extending through the sheath and protruding from the end opening of the housing, the device connector being rotatable relative to the housing between a first rotational position and a second rotational position. When the device connector rotates between the first rotational position and the second rotational position, the end portion of the sheath may remain in contact with the inner surface.

[0018] The sheath may be configured to apply radially outwardly directed pressure against the inner surface. When the device connector rotates, the end portion of the sheath may slide along the inner surface parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing. The end portion may be concave. The end portion of the sheath may be configured to apply outward pressure to the inner surface. The sheath may be elastically flexible. The housing may include a second end opening, and the arm may also include: a second sheath, which is at least partially positioned within the hollow interior, covers the second end opening, and has a second end portion that contacts the inner surface; and a bracket connector, which extends through the second sheath and can be rotated relative to the housing between a first rotational position and a second rotational position.

[0019] Yet another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a lifting system comprising: an equipment attachment structure; a support structure; a shell pivotally connected to the equipment attachment structure at a first pivot point and to the support structure at a second pivot point; and a belt engaging the equipment attachment structure and the support structure, wherein the equipment attachment structure rotates relative to the shell in response to rotation of the shell relative to the support structure due to tension in the belt.

[0020] In some embodiments, the tilt joint may be positioned on the device attachment structure. The housing may include at least one protrusion configured to apply an inwardly directed force to the band. The band may include a first set of engagement features that engage a second set of engagement features on at least one of the device attachment structure and the support structure. Moreover, with the housing in a first position relative to the device attachment structure, the band may be under tension at a first point on the device attachment structure, and with the housing in a second position relative to the device attachment structure, the band may be under tension at a second point on the device attachment structure, wherein the first point and the second point are offset from each other. The band may be prevented from sliding against the device attachment structure and the support structure.

[0021] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a connection assembly for connecting an electronic device to a support structure, wherein the connection assembly includes: an electronic device, the electronic device including a housing, a latch positioned within the housing, and an adjustment mechanism for moving the latch between a first position and a second position relative to the housing, wherein the housing includes an opening; and a support bracket, the support bracket including a protrusion, wherein the protrusion includes a longitudinal axis and a locking surface oriented non-orthogonally relative to the longitudinal axis. When the latch is in the first position, the protrusion can be inserted into the housing to a depth exceeding a portion of the latch, and when the latch is in the second position, the protrusion can be locked in position relative to the housing by engagement of the latch against the locking surface. The protrusion can also be pulled into the opening in response to the latch moving from the first position to the second position by engagement between the latch and the locking surface.

[0022] In some embodiments, the projection further includes a tapered end portion, wherein the tapered end portion is pulled into the tapered opening of the electronic device in response to the latch moving from the first position to the second position. The latch can be translated between the first position and the second position in the housing. The adjustment mechanism can be capable of rotating to translate the latch in the housing. The latch can be rotated between the first position and the second position in the housing. The adjustment mechanism may include a lever accessible from the outside of the housing to adjust the position of the latch, or include a threaded shaft configured to translate the latch between the first position and the second position. The latch may also include an engagement surface oriented substantially parallel to the locking surface, wherein when the latch is in the second position, the engagement surface engages the locking surface. The latch may also include a pop-up surface oriented non-orthogonally relative to the longitudinal axis of the projection, wherein the projection is pushed out of the opening by the engagement between the pop-up surface and the projection in response to the latch moving from the second position toward or beyond the first position relative to the second position. In some embodiments, the projection includes an orifice extending through the projection substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, wherein the locking surface is positioned in the orifice.

[0023] Yet another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a connection assembly for coupling an electronic device to a support structure. The connection assembly may include an electronic device including a housing, a rod rotatably connected to the housing, and a locking member pivotable relative to the housing and relative to the rod, wherein the housing has an opening and wherein the rod has a locking recess. The assembly may also include a support structure having a shaft that can be inserted into the opening and can be attached to the rod at an attachment interface, wherein the locking member is positioned in the locking recess of the rod, the rod is prevented from pivoting relative to the housing, and wherein the locking member is removed from the locking recess of the rod, the rod can pivot to a position that exposes the attachment interface through the opening of the housing.

[0024] In some embodiments, when the rod is in a position to expose the attachment interface through an opening of the housing, the shaft can be reversibly removed from the rod. The attachment interface may include a fastener that engages the shaft to the rod, wherein the fastener can be removed in response to exposing the attachment interface through an opening of the housing. A gap can be formed between the opening of the housing and the shaft or rod, wherein the locking member can move in response to the probe being inserted into the gap. The locking member can be configured to automatically lock the rod when the attachment interface is pivoted to the housing relative to the opening. The first rotation axis of the rod and the second rotation axis of the lock can be parallel to each other.

[0025] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a device interconnect system, the device interconnect system comprising: a rod capable of being connected to an electronic device; a support structure, the support structure including an arm block, wherein the rod is capable of rotating relative to the arm block about a rotation axis; a sleeve; and a biasing member having a first end attached to the sleeve and having a second end attached to the arm block. The sleeve can be adjustable between a first configuration in which the sleeve is capable of rotating relative to the rod about the rotation axis and a second configuration in which the sleeve is capable of being fixed relative to the rod about the rotation axis.

[0026] In some embodiments, the sleeve may be adjustable between a first configuration and a second configuration by adjusting the fastener. The first end may not slide relative to the sleeve, and the second end may not slide relative to the arm block. The portion may be connected to the rod and may be rotatable into contact with a stop surface of the arm block, the stop surface being configured to limit rotation of the block portion about the axis of rotation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] The present disclosure will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like structural elements, and wherein:

[0028] Figure 1A , Figure 1B and Figure 1C Side views of the electronic device and support system are shown in three different pivot configurations.

[0029] Figure 2 A partially exploded side view of the interface between the electronic device and the support system is shown.

[0030] Figure 3A A partial perspective view of a pole connected to an electronic device is shown.

[0031] Figure 3B Shows Figure 3A A partial side cross-sectional view of a rod installed in an electronic device.

[0032] Figure 4 A partial top cutaway view of the interface between the electronic device and the support system is shown.

[0033] Figure 5A A partial top cutaway view of another interface between an electronic device and a support system is shown.

[0034] Figure 5B Shows Figure 5A A partial side sectional view of the interface.

[0035] Figure 5C Shows Figure 5A A partial top cross-sectional view of the interface in a second configuration.

[0036] Figure 5D Shows Figure 5C Partial side cross-sectional view of the interface.

[0037] Fig. 6A A partial side view of another interface between an electronic device and a support system is shown.

[0038] Figure 6B yes Fig. 6A A partial side view of the interface in a second configuration.

[0039] Fig. 7A A schematic top view showing the attachment of electronic equipment to the poles of the support system.

[0040] Figure 7B A schematic top view showing the attachment of electronic equipment to another pole of the support system.

[0041] Figure 8 A partially exploded top cutaway view of the connection system between the electronic device and the support bracket is shown.

[0042] Fig. 9 Shows Figure 8 A partial top cross-sectional view of a connection system in an assembled state.

[0043] Fig.10 Shows Figure 8 Exploded top cutaway view of a portion of a tilt hinge of a connection system.

[0044] Fig.11 Shown along Fig. 9 A cross-sectional view taken along section line 11-11 in FIG.

[0045] Fig.12 Shown along Fig. 9 A cross-sectional view taken along section line 12-12 in FIG.

[0046] Fig.13A A side cutaway view of a lift arm connecting electronic equipment to a support bracket is shown.

[0047] Fig. 13B Shows Fig.13A The system is in a second configuration.

[0048] Fig.14A A side view of another lifting arm connecting the electronic device to the support bracket is shown, with some parts omitted.

[0049] Fig. 14B Shows Fig.14A A side cross-sectional view of a lift arm showing additional components.

[0050] Fig. 14C Shows Fig. 14B The system is in a second configuration.

[0051] Fig.15A A side cutaway view of another lifting arm connecting the electronic device to the support bracket is shown.

[0052] Fig. 15B Shows Fig.15A The system is in a second configuration.

[0053] Fig.16A A partially exploded top cutaway view of the interconnection system between the electronic device and the support bracket is shown.

[0054] Fig. 16B Shown along Fig.16A The section line 16B-16B in Fig.16A A partial side cutaway view of a system.

[0055] Fig.17A Shows Fig.16A A partial top cross-sectional view of an interconnect system in an assembled configuration.

[0056] Fig. 17B Shown along Fig.17A The section line 17B-17B in Fig.17A A partial side cutaway view of a system.

[0057] Fig. 17C Shown along Fig.17A The section line 17C-17C in Fig.17A A partial side cutaway view of a system.

[0058] Fig.18 Shows Fig.17A Partial side cross-sectional views of an interconnect system in different assembly configurations.

[0059] Fig.19 Shows Fig.17A A partial side cross-sectional view of an interconnect system in another different assembly configuration.

[0060] Fig. 20 A partial side cutaway view of another interconnect system using a locking mechanism / latch operated by a lever is shown.

[0061] Fig.21 A partial side cross-sectional view of another interconnect system using a rotatable locking mechanism / latch is shown.

[0062] Fig. 22 A partial perspective view of an end of a protrusion of an interconnect system according to another embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0063] Fig.23A Shows the use of Fig. 22 The interconnection system of projections along Fig. 23B A partial perspective sectional view taken along section line 23A- 23A in FIG.

[0064] Fig. 23B Shows Fig. 22 and Fig.23A A partial front view of the interconnect system in an unlocked configuration.

[0065] Fig.24A Shows the use of Fig. 22 The interconnection system of projections along Fig. 24B A partial perspective sectional view taken along section line 24A- 24A in FIG.

[0066] Fig. 24B Shows Fig. 22 and Fig.23A A partial front view of the interconnect system in a locked configuration.

[0067] Fig.25A A partial side cross-sectional view showing a connection system between a support bracket and an electronic device in a locked state.

[0068] Fig.25B Shows Fig.25A A partial top cross-sectional view of a connection system in an unlocked state.

[0069] Fig.25C Shows Fig.25A A partial side cross-sectional view of a connection system in an unlocked and user-accessible state.

[0070] Fig.26A A partial perspective view of another interconnect system is shown.

[0071] Fig.26B Shows Fig.26A Top cross-sectional view of the system.

[0072] Fig. 27 A partially exploded top cutaway view of a tilt hinge assembly is shown.

[0073] Fig.28 Shows Fig. 27 Assembled top cutaway view of the tilt hinge assembly.

[0074] Fig.29 Shows Fig. 27 Exploded top cutaway view of the internal components of the tilt hinge assembly.

[0075] Fig.30 Shows Fig.28A side cross-sectional view of the tilt hinge assembly taken along plane P, with the rod and pin rotated upward about the pin's axis of rotation.

[0076] Fig.31 is a schematic side view of the electronics, lift arm and bracket.

[0077] Fig.32A A perspective view of the end of the lift arm at the tilt hinge is shown with the lever in a first rotational position.

[0078] Fig.32B Shows Fig.32A A perspective view of the end of the lift arm with the lever in the second rotational position.

[0079] Fig.33 Shows Fig.32A An exploded perspective view of the components of the counterbalance assembly of a tilt hinge.

[0080] Fig.34 Shown along Fig.32A A perspective cross-sectional view of the tilt hinge taken along section line 34-34 in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0081] Electronic device stands of poor quality and ergonomics often exhibit "tilt," "lag," or "blow back" in their hinges when the electronic device is adjusted to tilt vertically or horizontally relative to the stand. The assemblies, devices, and methods described herein can improve electronic device constructability, provide reliable and high-quality adjustable supports, and avoid the incorporation of unsightly components, awkward mechanical structures, and poor ergonomics.

[0082] One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a connector for an electronic device holder that reduces or eliminates such "blow back" by securely retaining a rod (i.e., a tongue, protrusion, or shaft) extending from an electronic device (e.g., a computing device or a display screen) within an opening in a shaft or receiver unit of a support holder. The connector may include an element for driving at least one pair of guide surfaces of the rod onto a corresponding pair of guide surfaces on the support holder, such as by using a shaft or fastener inserted into an opening formed in at least one of the rod or receiver unit. Contact between the guide surfaces ensures that the rod and the opening are properly aligned and in close contact with each other, thereby eliminating wobble and shifting in the joint.

[0083] The joint may include a threaded fastener that, when tightened in place, pulls or pushes a guide surface of the rod (e.g., a pair of inclined or curved surfaces on the end of the tongue) into a guide surface of the support bracket (e.g., a pair of inclined or curved surfaces located in an opening in the support bracket into which the rod is inserted). Engaging the guide surfaces relative to each other can substantially reduce the degrees of freedom of the rod relative to the support bracket (e.g., constraining the rod with five degrees of freedom or more), while also reducing the likelihood of the rod loosening due to poor fastener reliability. Thus, once the engagement rod and the support bracket shaft (i.e., the portion of the joint having the opening) have been engaged together, they can effectively move as a single rigid member, thereby improving user ergonomics, engagement reliability, and perceived quality of the device. The rod and the support bracket shaft are pivotally connected to a support rod (e.g., a base of the support bracket) so that the electronic device can be pivoted relative to the support rod while also being removable from the support rod.

[0084] In some embodiments, the joint between the bracket and the rod may include a feature for improving the user adjustability of the joint. For example, the rod of the joint may include a fastener that is accessible to the user (e.g., accessible from the outside of the joint without previous additional disassembly) to adjust the positioning of the guide surface in the joint or move the rod relative to the guide surface. The same fastener may be positioned on the opposite side of the joint to simplify assembly (e.g., by allowing the user to assemble the joint with either of the two fasteners installed on either side) and reduce the number of unique components, thereby reducing the cost of the joint. In some embodiments, the fastener may extend through the axis of rotation of the support bracket to keep the joint compact and simple to manufacture and use. The fastener may include a head portion, a handle and a threaded portion, wherein the handle has an increased diameter portion relative to the diameter of the threaded portion. Therefore, the handle may define a shoulder of increased diameter, which is configured to engage the shoulder in the opening of the receiving unit and, when engaging the thread in the rod, may be rotated to pull the guide surface of the rod to contact the guide surface of the receiving unit.

[0085] In some configurations, the stem of the electronic device may include multiple openings or groups of openings configured to receive fasteners at different locations so that a variety of different brackets or support adapters can be connected to the tongue. Thus, the tongue can be universal in engaging various types of supports, such as tilt brackets, combined tilt and lift brackets, display support arms, and / or display mounting adapters (e.g., VESA brackets or other flat panel display mounting interfaces (FDMI)).

[0086] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a component of a support bracket, such as a lifting arm portion, which is configured to support an electronic device and provide balance to the electronic device when it is vertically translated relative to the ground. The lifting arm portion may include a four-bar linkage assembly, which is configured to maintain parallel movement of the device attachment structure at one end of the arm relative to the support structure at its opposite end. The lifting arm may also include an energy storage device (e.g., a spring) for storing energy storage as the electronic device moves downward and releasing energy as the device moves upward, thereby making it easier for the user to adjust the height of the electronic device and helping to stabilize and maintain the position of the electronic device once it has been adjusted to a desired position. The spring device may be positioned in a holder pivotally connected to the four-bar linkage, and the end of the spring device may be attached to or engaged with a rod that can be pivoted independently relative to the four-bar linkage. The pivot connection points between the holder and the rod may be appropriately spaced apart to ensure that based on the energy storage characteristics of the spring device and the weight of the electronic device, the rotation and relative movement of the spring device via the compression or extension of the rod and the holder, the rotation of the joint of the four-bar linkage stores the energy of the balance amount in the spring device.

[0087] In some embodiments, a linkage capable of parallel motion may be used in a lift arm that does not include a set of four-bar linkages. For example, a lift arm may include a housing to which an equipment support and a stand support are pivotally connected. The housing may be used and function similarly to a pivotable linkage connected to the equipment and support stand. A belt, chain, or set of pivotable linkages may connect the equipment support and the stand support to rotate synchronously with the electronic device and the stand support when the housing rotates, thereby maintaining parallel motion in a manner similar to how another pivotable linkage extending between the supports would operate in a four-bar linkage.

[0088] Aspects of the present disclosure also relate to ways of protecting the interior of a lifting arm from ingress while also improving aesthetics and limiting undesirable types of user access to mechanisms within the lifting arm. The lifting arm may have components positioned within a housing or shell having a hollow interior, and a device connector assembly may be at least partially positioned within the hollow interior, wherein a sheath covers, hides, and protects components within an end opening of the shell, and wherein a device connector (e.g., a tongue) extends through the sheath to attach to an electronic device. The sheath may be configured with a C-shaped side profile having ends extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shell, and when the device connector is rotated relative to the shell, the C-shaped side profile may slide and bend to maintain the coverage and hiding of the components of the device connector assembly within the end opening of the shell. Due to the C-shaped profile of the sheath and the way the device connector curls / uncurls when it rotates relative to the shell, the interior of the shell remains more open and is therefore able to accommodate the placement and movement of other internal components, such as a balancing spring device or similar structure.

[0089] Additional aspects of the present disclosure relate to structures for attaching a tongue or other protrusion extending from a device bracket to the interior of an electronic device housing. In an exemplary embodiment, the housing may include a locking mechanism (i.e., a latching device) and an adjustment mechanism (e.g., a screw or a lever) that is operable to move the latching device within the housing. When the latching device is in an unlocked position, the protrusion of the bracket may be inserted through an opening in the housing and through a portion of the latching device. Then, by moving the latching device to a locked position while the protrusion remains inserted into the opening, the protrusion may be locked in the opening. The locking of the protrusion may be caused by the engagement of the latching device against a locking surface of the protrusion, the locking surface being oriented non-orthogonally relative to the longitudinal axis of the protrusion, and when the latching device moves from the unlocked position to the locked position, the protrusion may be pulled into the opening, the protrusion sliding against the locking surface. Pulling the protrusion into the housing in this manner may eliminate swinging and tilting between the bracket and the housing to ensure a firm and tight fit between their components.

[0090] Additionally, the protrusion may have a tapered end portion that is drawn into contact with the tapered opening in the housing when the protrusion is drawn into the electronic device. In this way, the contact between the tapered surfaces may even further restrict relative motion between the devices and ensure that the bracket and the electronic device are properly aligned and oriented relative to each other for optimal ergonomics, optimal part engagement, and improved engagement strength.

[0091] In addition, in some embodiments, a latch system is provided whereby a protrusion / axle of a stent device can be attached to a rod pivotally positioned within a housing. A locking member (e.g., a rotatable locking pin) can prevent the protrusion and rod from moving relative to the housing while the locking member is held in a locked position against the rod or protrusion. The locking member can be accessible to a user to unlock the rod and protrusion, and allow a user to access the attachment interface between the rod and the protrusion by rotating the rod and protrusion relative to the housing when the locking member is in an unlocked position (e.g., rotated out of contact with the rod or protrusion). The locking member can be hidden within the housing to help keep the exterior of the device from distracting or unsightly features, and the user can access the locking member by means of a tool (e.g., a flexible card, a pry bar, or other thin probe) inserted into a small opening or slot in the housing or inserted between the protrusion and the opening in the housing.

[0092] The features and improvements described in detail herein may be used and implemented in any combination of the various embodiments of the brackets and support devices disclosed and described herein. Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments described herein and depicted in the accompanying drawings are merely exemplary embodiments that illustrate features in relative isolation, and illustrate a subset of the characteristics of various different embodiments that may be combined with other embodiments shown or described. Therefore, the accompanying drawings do not depict an exhaustive or mutually exclusive individual embodiment of the advancements and features of the present disclosure.

[0093] The following references Figures 1A to 26B These embodiments and other embodiments are discussed. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these figures is for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as limiting. In addition, as used herein, a system, method, article, component, feature, or sub-feature comprising at least one of a first option, a second option, or a third option should be understood to refer to a system, method, article, component, feature, or sub-feature that may include one of each listed option (e.g., only one first option, only one second option, only one third option), multiple of a single listed option (e.g., two or more first options), two options at the same time (e.g., one first option and one second option), or a combination thereof (e.g., two first options and one second option).

[0094] Reference will now be made specifically to the representative embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the following description is not intended to limit the embodiments to a preferred embodiment. On the contrary, it is intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalent forms that may be included in the essence and scope of the embodiments defined by the appended claims.

[0095] Figures 1A to 1CA diagrammatic side view of an electronic device support system 100 is shown. The support system 100 may include an electronic device 102 configured to be supported by a stand 104, which is supported by a ground surface 106. The system 100 may include a rod 108 connecting the electronic device 102 to a tilt joint 110. The tilt joint 110 may be positioned at the end of a lift arm 112 having a height joint 114 connecting the lift arm 112 to a support base 116 via a stand base connector 118. The lift arm 112 may be a lift arm including a mechanism for parallel motion (e.g., a four-bar linkage and a counterbalance assembly), such as described in U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 583,222, entitled “Display Lift Arm,” filed on September 25, 2019, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

[0096] The electronic device 102 Figure 1A 1 is shown in a first position, wherein the lift arm 112 is substantially horizontal and parallel to the ground 106, and the electronic device 102 is tilted rearward at an angle at the tilt joint 110. Figure 1B In FIG. 1 , the electronic device 102 maintains the same angle relative to the ground 106, but the lift arm 112 has been rotated downward at the height joint 114, thereby moving the electronic device 102 closer to the ground 106. Figure 1C In the process, the lifting arm 112 is kept in contact with Figure 1B Same position, but tilt joint 110 has been operated to pivot electronic device 102 forward to a vertical orientation, with the plane of the front or rear surface of the electronic device oriented substantially perpendicular to ground surface 106 and parallel to the vertical longitudinal axis of support base 116 . Figures 1A to 1C These are just a few examples of the adjustable positions achievable by the device support system 100 , and the electronic device 102 may be adjusted to a higher (or lower) position than shown, and may be rotated further about the tilt joint 110 than shown.

[0097] The electronic device 102 may include a display screen 119 (i.e., a monitor or touch screen) for a computing device. In some embodiments, the electronic device 102 may include an entire computing device, such as by including a tablet computer or a "stand-alone" computer, which includes processing components, memory components, networking devices, and other computer components known in the art. The electronic device 102 may include a housing 120, a shell, or a shell portion that is configured to contain a display screen and other electronic components. Thus, the housing 120 may have an interior cavity in which the other components are positioned. In some embodiments, the housing 120 may also include a latch or other mechanism for connecting the housing 120 to the rod 108 extending from the tilt joint 110. The display screen 119 may have a front surface plane that is substantially parallel to the rear surface plane of the rear wall of the housing 120 (e.g., at Figure 1C The substantially vertical plane from which the center rod 108 extends horizontally).

[0098] The support 104 may include Figures 1A to 1C The bracket 104 includes two joints (e.g., 110, 114), and in some cases, the bracket 104 may include one joint (e.g., only the tilt joint 110) or more than two joints. When only the tilt joint 110 is included, the joint may directly join the rod 108 to the support base 116 at the base connector 118. When more than two joints are included, additional joints may be positioned at Figure 1A The interfaces 110, 114 are shown between them, and the lifting arm 112 can be divided into two sections. In some embodiments, the electronic device 102 is directly attached to the support base 116 without any pivotable joints.

[0099] The bracket 104 may be constructed as follows Figures 1A to 1C 104. The support base 116 is a device that can be used to support a plurality of electronic devices 102 and a plurality of electronic devices 102. The support base 116 can be provided with a plurality of electronic devices 102 and a plurality of electronic devices 102 that can be used to support a plurality of electronic devices 102. The support base 116 can be provided with a plurality of electronic devices 102 that can be used to support a plurality of electronic devices 102. The support base 116 can be provided with a plurality of electronic devices 102 that can be used to support a plurality of electronic devices 102. The support base 116 can be provided with a plurality of electronic devices 102 that can be used to support a plurality of electronic devices 102. The support base 116 can be provided with a plurality of electronic devices 102 that can be used to support a plurality of electronic devices 102. The support base 116 can be provided with a plurality of electronic devices 102 that can be used to support a plurality of electronic devices 102.

[0100] The floor 106 may alternatively be vertical or oriented at a different angle. In some embodiments, the floor 106 is part of a desk or other office equipment. In some cases, the floor 106 may be positioned on a wall, column, counterweight, leg, equipment housing, or other structure to which the bracket 104 needs to be attached. Thus, the bracket 104 may be attached to the floor 106 in some cases, while in other cases, the bracket 104 may be simply placed on the floor 106 or rest on the floor without being attached thereto.

[0101] Figure 2 A diagrammatic partially exploded side view of the electronic device 102 and the bracket 104 components at the interface between the electronic device 102 and the bracket 104 is shown, the interface including the tilt joint 110. The rod 108 is attached to the electronic device 102 and can extend at a substantially perpendicular angle to the rear surface 200 of the electronic device 102. The rod 108 can include a lateral opening 202 (i.e., a hole or aperture) near its end portion 204. The bracket 104 can include a receiver 205 (i.e., a receiver unit) having a receiver opening 206, which is configured to receive the rod 108 to a sufficient depth so that the lateral opening 202 of the rod 108 is aligned with the lateral opening 208 of the receiver 205. In the case where the openings 202, 208 are aligned, a fastener, rod or shaft can be inserted into the openings 202, 208 to prevent the rod 108 from withdrawing from the opening 206. In some embodiments, pole 108 (or other poles discussed herein, e.g., pole 800) may extend from a mounting adapter that can be attached to an electronic device (e.g., 102 or 802), such as one of the embodiments of the mounting adapter disclosed in U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 563,252, filed on September 6, 2019, entitled "Display Support Arm Mount," the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. Pole 108 (and other poles mentioned herein) may be referred to as a first axis or device attachment structure capable of attaching to an electronic device (e.g., 102), and receiver 205 and / or tilt joint 110 (and other receivers / tilt joints herein) may be referred to as a second axis that can be attached to a support pole (e.g., lift arm 112 or base 116). The tilt joint may include a first structure anchored to the lift arm 112 (eg, arm barrel 842 anchored to the lift arm 812) and a second structure anchored to the equipment attachment structure (eg, receiver barrel 840 anchored to the pole 800).

[0102] With the rod 108 positioned in the receiver opening 206, the tilt joint 110 can be operated to rotate the receiver 205 and the rod 108 relative to the lifting arm 112, as described in further detail in conjunction with the embodiments described below. Rotation of the tilt joint 110 can change the tilt angle of the electronic device 102 relative to the ground or the base of the stand 104. Figure 2 The interface shown in the figure may be referred to as a tilt assembly or tilt joint connection between the bracket 104 and the electronic device 102. In some embodiments, the positioning of the rod 108 and the receiving member 205 may be substantially reversed, wherein the electronic device 102 includes an opening into which the rod extends, as described below in conjunction with FIG. 16A to FIG. 25C discussed in further detail.

[0103] Figure 3A A simplified side perspective view of an exemplary rod 300 is shown. The rod 300 may be Figure 1A to Figure 2 In this embodiment, the rod 300 is attached to and extends from a rear end surface of an electronic device 302 (e.g., device 102). The rod 300 includes a generally rectangular side profile with square corners 304, 306. In some embodiments, the rod 300 (or rod 108) may include rounded corners (e.g., Fig.11 ), curved or chamfered, or tapered (e.g., as shown in FIG. 5A to FIG. 6B and the corner shown in Figure 16B).

[0104] As the rod 300 is inserted into the receiver opening (e.g., 206), a fastener or shaft 308 may be inserted into the lateral opening 310 of the rod 300. The lateral opening 310 may be connected to a longitudinally oriented slot 312 in the rod 300 that opens at the end between the corners 304, 306, and the shaft 308 may have a diameter that exceeds the vertical diameter of the lateral opening 310. Thus, when the shaft 308 is moved into the opening 310, the slot 312 may expand, thereby driving the corners 304, 306 apart from each other along a vertical axis 313 (which is in a direction substantially perpendicular to the insertion direction 314 of the shaft 308 / the longitudinal axis of the shaft 308 or the longitudinal axis of the opening 310), as shown in FIG. Figure 3B 310. The extension caused by the shaft 308 can cause the corners 304, 306 and / or the top and bottom surfaces 316, 318 of the rod 300 to contact the rod-facing surfaces of the receiver near the receiver opening 320, thereby causing a friction fit between the rod 300 and the opening, which prevents the rod 300 from being withdrawn from the opening when the shaft 308 is located in the lateral opening 310. The friction fit can tightly hold the rod 300 against the receiver opening 320 to prevent the rod 300 from being removed from the opening 320 without first removing the shaft 308.

[0105] Additionally, in some embodiments, the receiver opening 320 may include a reverse tapered inner surface 322, such as Figure 3B 300, wherein the extension of the rod 300 causes an interference fit between the corners 304, 306 and / or the top and bottom surfaces 316, 318 and the reverse tapered surface 322. In other words, the receiver opening may have an inlet opening width / height that is less than the width / height of the other inner portion of the opening, and the inlet opening may have a width that is substantially equal to the thickness of the rod 300 from top to bottom, as shown in FIG. Figure 3B 300. The extension of the rod 300 can help ensure that the rod 300 is prevented from wiggling or rocking within the receiver opening 320. The interference between the extended corners 304, 306 and the surface 322 can provide an additional level of security for the attachment of the rod 300. Removing the shaft 308 can allow the rod 300 to return to its normal thickness, thereby reducing or eliminating friction and / or interference between the rod 300 and the opening 320.

[0106] like Figure 3A As shown, the rod 300 may have at least two end protrusions 324 spaced apart at the end of the rod 300. Each end protrusion 324 may have its own lateral opening 310, so that two separate shafts 308 can be used to expand the protrusion 324. Because the end protrusions 324 are spaced apart, the rod 300 can have improved flexibility in the protrusions 324 (and can therefore be more easily expanded along the vertical axis 313) compared to a rod 300 having a single opening 310 and a slot 312 extending across the entire width of the rod 300. However, in some embodiments, the rod 300 may have a single full-width (or partial-width) opening 310 and slot 312, rather than two protrusions 324, or extend through a portion of the rod 300 in a proximal direction relative to the open end of the slot 312 (i.e., closer to the electronic device). Additionally, in some cases, the rod 300 (e.g., Figure 8 The rod 800 in FIG. 8 may have a separate opening 310 on each side of the rod 300 and the protrusion 324 may be omitted.

[0107] In addition to being inserted into the opening 310 of the rod 300, the shaft 308 can be inserted into a shaft or fastener opening in a receiver (e.g., 208). In some embodiments, the shaft 308 and the opening (i.e., in the receiver and the rod) are threaded and have threads that engage each other to ensure that the shaft 308 fits securely in the opening along the longitudinal axis 314 of the shaft 308. See, e.g. Figure 4 , Fig. 9Thus, an operator may use a drive tool or wrench to install or remove shaft 308 from opening 310 , and longitudinal axial rotation of shaft 308 may cause vertical extension / contraction of rod 300 as threads guide shaft 308 into / out of opening 310 .

[0108] exist Figure 4 Another embodiment of a rod and receiver support interface is shown in a top cross-sectional view of FIG. In this view, the rod 400 has a protrusion 424 inserted into the receiver opening 420 in the receiver 405, and the shaft 408 is mounted through the lateral opening 412 in the receiver 405 and extends at least partially into the lateral opening 410 in the protrusion 424. The shaft 408 includes a threaded portion 430 that engages threads in the lateral opening 412 of the receiver 405 and has an end portion 432 that emerges into the lateral opening 410 of the protrusion 424.

[0109] The end portion 432 has a frustoconical tapered shape that narrows along the longitudinal axis 414 of the shaft 408 as it extends from the threaded portion 430 to its distal end. The lateral opening 410 may also include an inclined (i.e., ramped) inner surface 434 configured to be engaged by the radial outer surface of the end portion 432. The inclined end portion 432 may be referred to as a drive surface of the shaft 408. Thus, advancement of the shaft 408 into the opening 412 along its longitudinal axis 414 causes the end portion 432 to advance into the lateral opening 410 and slide against the inclined inner surface 434, thereby causing the protrusion 424 to be driven and moved in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 414 (e.g., along the perpendicular second axis 416). Thus, the installation of shaft 408 not only limits or prevents rod 400 from exiting receiver opening 420, but also pushes rod 400 into receiver opening 420 with a tight and secure fit (e.g., until the end of protrusion 424 contacts the inner surface of receiver opening 420). In some embodiments, receiver opening 420 may include a ramp or tapered surface (e.g., opening bottom surface 433) that guides protrusion 424 into preferably vertical alignment with opening 420 (i.e., along an axis perpendicular to longitudinal axis 414 and second axis 416). See also Figure 5B and Figure 5D The opening 420 may also have a slope or tapered surface (not shown) located on one side of the opening (e.g., at the side surface 434) that contacts the side surface of the protrusion 424 to guide the protrusion to a preferred position in the opening 420 measured along the direction of the longitudinal axis 414. See also Figure 5B and Figure 5D .

[0110] Features and elements from the embodiments described herein may be combined with other features and elements described in conjunction with other embodiments. Figure 4 The end portion 432 and the inner surface 434) can be used to Figure 2 , Figure 3A and Figure 3B Similarly, the embodiment of FIG. 4 may have a configuration similar to Figure 3A and Figure 3B This inter-characteristic relationship between the embodiments applies to all embodiments described herein, which will be apparent to those skilled in the art after reading this disclosure and also with hindsight.

[0111] FIG. 5A to FIG. 5D Another embodiment of a connection assembly is shown in which a rod 500 is inserted into a receiver opening 520 . Figure 5A shows a top cross-sectional view of the shaft 508 and the rod 500 in a first position, Figure 5B Shown along Figure 5A The cross-sectional view taken along the section line 5B-5B in FIG. Figure 5C A top view of the assembly of shaft 508 and rod 500 is shown in a second position, and Figure 5D Shown along Figure 5C A cross-sectional view taken along section line 5D-5D in FIG.

[0112] The rod 500 is configured to be inserted into the opening 520 to a sufficient depth so that the rod groove 510 is longitudinally aligned with the lateral opening 512 of the receiver 505 and the shaft 508 can be inserted into the Figure 5A and Figure 5B 510 and 511. The shaft 508 is in the position shown, wherein the shaft 508 has a first portion 530 positioned in the lateral opening 512 and an end portion 532 protruding into the rod recess 510. The end portion 532 includes a cam portion 535 having a cam protrusion 534 that extends radially farther from the central longitudinal axis 513 of the shaft 508 than the remainder of the cam portion 535. Initially, the cam protrusion 534 is oriented so that it does not contact the rod recess 510, as shown in FIG. FIG. 5A to FIG. 5B As shown, however, as shaft 508 rotates in opening 512 , cam projection 534 rotates into contact with slot 510 , thereby driving rod 500 in an inward direction (ie, into receiver opening 520 to guide surface 550 ), thereby eliminating any loose horizontal fit between parts 500 , 505 .

[0113] Additionally, in some embodiments, the end portion of the rod 500 may have one or more tapered, angled, or curved guide surfaces 540 that are driven into contact with corresponding tapered, angled, or curved guide surfaces 550 in the receiver opening 520. The angled nature of these guide surfaces 540, 550 helps guide the rod 500 to a desired position relative to the receiver 505 and eliminates a vertical loose fit between the parts 500, 505. Thus, if the end of the rod 500 is inserted slightly skewed at an angle or translated out of alignment, engaging guide surfaces such as surfaces 540 and 550 may be referred to as "guide surfaces" because they can be used to guide the rod into position. FIG. 5C to FIG. 5D In the position shown. Additionally, rod 500 may include a first connector axis and receiver may include a second connector axis. When the fastener (e.g., 508) is installed and guide surfaces 540, 550 are brought into face-to-face contact with each other (e.g., when the two pairs of guide surfaces are in face-to-face contact with each other and the corresponding abutment surfaces are parallel to each other), those two axes may align and may become coaxial (e.g., aligned with axis 513).

[0114] Once the out-of-position rod 500 engages guide surfaces 550 and is urged inwardly / toward end surfaces 555 between guide surfaces 550, rod 500 is pulled into the proper orientation because the increased engagement of the guide surfaces (i.e., engagement of guide surfaces 540 with guide surfaces 550) gradually reduces the available space for rod 500 to fit within receiver opening 520. This naturally causes rod 500 to rotate or translate into the proper orientation. FIG. 5C to FIG. 5D As the rod slides against the guide surface 550 and moves further into the opening 520 , the desired fit and orientation of the rod 500 within the receiver opening 520 is achieved.

[0115] The cam protrusion 534 is a mechanism by which an inward force can be exerted on the rod 500. In some embodiments, the rod 400 is similarly pushed into the guide surface of the receiving member opening 420 by inserting the shaft 408 into the opening 410, as described above in conjunction with Figure 4 Thus, features and elements from the embodiments described herein may be combined with other features and elements described in connection with other embodiments.

[0116] Fig. 6A and Figure 6B608 extends into a groove 610 in a rod 600, and the rod 600 has a notch 660 into which a rotatable tongue portion 654 of the shaft 608 can be rotated. The rotatable tongue portion 654 can have a ramp surface 656 that is configured to engage an inner surface 665 of the notch 660 when the shaft 608 is rotated. Thus, as shown in FIG. Fig. 6A As shown, the shaft 608 may be rotatable between a first position and a second position, in which the tongue portion 654 is positioned away from the notch 660 (or at least not in contact with the notch 660), and Figure 6B 6B also shows that the groove 610 moves relative to the shaft 608 as the shaft 608 rotates due to the movement of the rod 600. Thus, the groove 610 can have a dimension along the rod 600 that exceeds the diameter of the shaft 608 to accommodate the translation of the rod 600 relative to the shaft 608 as the guide surfaces 640 / 650 move the rod 600.

[0117] FIG. 7A to FIG. 7B A diagrammatic top view of an additional connection assembly joining an electronic device 702 and a bracket 704 is shown. In some embodiments, the electronic device can be element 704 and the bracket can be element 702. The rod 700 extends away from the electronic device 702 and is positioned adjacent to the fixed post 705. A second translatable post 710 anchored to the bracket 704 can be used to apply a clamping force to the rod 700. Thus, in the embodiment of FIG. 7A, the rod 700 is clamped by its laterally outward surface 706, thereby contacting and frictionally retaining the fixed post and the translatable post 705, 710. In Figure 7B In the embodiment of the present invention, the rod 700 is clamped by its lateral inwardly facing surfaces 708 so as to contact the posts 705, 710 and is thereby frictionally held in place against those surfaces 708. These schematic diagrams show how friction is used to hold the rod 700 in place without fasteners or shafts, rather than interference of parts, and the friction is the primary force holding the rod 700 in place, wherein the friction is applied to the side surfaces of the rod 700, rather than the top and bottom surfaces (e.g., as shown in Figures 3A to 3B). Figure 3B Implementation scheme shown).

[0118] Figure 8A top cross-sectional view of a connection assembly for a rod 800 connected to an electronic device 802 and a tilt hinge 809 connected to a lift arm 812 is shown. In this embodiment, the rod 800 includes side openings 810 located on opposite sides of the rod 800, and each side opening 810 is threaded. The rod 800 can be inserted into a receiver opening 820 in the tilt hinge 809, as shown in FIG. Fig. 9 When inserted, the lateral opening 810 can be aligned with the lateral opening 813 of the tilt hinge 809, as shown in FIG. Figure 8 The lateral openings 810, 813 may have substantially equal diameters so that the shaft 808 may be mounted on each side of the tilt hinge 809 with the end portion 834 fitting within each opening 810, 813, as shown. Fig. 9 As shown. In this way, the contact between the end portion 834 and the openings 810, 813 can keep the rod 800 aligned with the receiver barrel 840 in the tilt hinge 809. In some embodiments, the rod 800 can extend from a mounting adapter that can be attached to an electronic device (e.g., 802), such as one of the embodiments of the mounting adapter disclosed in U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 563,252, entitled "Display Support Arm Mount," filed on September 6, 2019, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

[0119] The receiving member cylinder 840 and at least one arm cylinder 842 (see Figure 8 and Fig.10 ) may be capable of rotating relative to each other about an axis of rotation 848. Fig.12 The lateral opening 813 and the receiver opening 820 may be formed in the receiver barrel 840. The receiver barrel 840 may also include a widened hole 844 configured to receive each shaft 808 (see Figure 8 and Fig.10 ), wherein the widened hole 844 forms a shoulder 846 having a shoulder surface on each side where the hole 844 transitions to the lateral opening 813. A head portion can be positioned at the end of each shaft 808 and can be wider than the remainder of the shaft 808. A tool or wrench can be used to turn the head portion to tighten or loosen the shaft 808 in the opening 810. The head portion can include a recess, hexagon, or other manipulation surface that is configured to be engaged by a tool to rotate the shaft 808.

[0120] Shoulder 846 may have an end profile that is rounded with respect to the center of the opening (i.e., lateral opening 813). Arm barrel 842 may rotate about an axis of rotation 848 that extends centrally through receiver barrel 840. Thus, arm barrel 842 and attached lifting arm 812 may pivot relative to receiver barrel 840 about axis of rotation 848. At the same time, rod 800 is attached to receiver barrel 840 by fastener shaft 808 and rotates synchronously with receiver barrel 840. In other words, rod 800 may be a first connector having a first connector axis that extends longitudinally and centrally through lateral opening 810, receiver barrel 840 may be a second connector having a second connector axis along axis of rotation 848, and the first connector axis and the second connector axis may be aligned with each other when at least one axis 808 is installed. Rod 800 and receiver barrel 840 may be joined in this manner to move as a single unit, which may be referred to as a pivotable arm because it pivots relative to arm barrel 842 about axis of rotation 848.

[0121] Due to the optional spring (e.g., torsion spring) 850 and / or an optional set of friction disks 852 positioned about the opposite ends of the receiver cylinder 840, the rotation of the receiver cylinder 840 and the arm cylinder 842 can be limited or resisted. Figure 8 and Fig.10 . The spring 850 may have a first end attached (e.g., friction fit, welded, or fastened) to the receiver barrel 840 and a second end attached (e.g., friction fit, welded, or fastened) to the arm barrel 842. In one embodiment, the spring 850 may include one or more coils having a first diameter coupled to the end of the receiver barrel 840, and one or more coils having a second diameter (e.g., a larger diameter) coupled to the arm barrel 842. The attachment between these parts 850, 840, 842 may cause the potential energy of the spring 850 to increase or decrease due to relative rotation between the barrels 840, 842 about the rotation axis 848. Thus, the spring 850 may be used to bias the rotation of the barrels 840, 842 toward a desired "original" or "default" position in which the potential energy of the spring 850 is lowest. In some embodiments, this position is a horizontal position, such as Figure 1C shown.

[0122] The spring 850 may be configured to move forward when the bottom of the device is tilted forward (i.e., the electronic device 102 moves from the position of FIG. 1B to the Figure 1C 802 by applying torque to the cylinders 840, 842, which helps the device rotate in that direction at the tilt hinge 809. Figure 1C Position to Figure 1BThe spring 850 can also resist rotation of the electronic device by storing potential energy and applying a resistive torque to the tilt hinge 809 when the electronic device is rotated in the forward or backward direction (i.e., in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction when viewed from its side). In this way, the spring 850 can improve the ergonomics of the stand (e.g., 104) by requiring substantially similar (e.g., equal) torques to pivot at the tilt hinge 809 regardless of whether the electronic device is tilted in the forward or backward direction (i.e., in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction when viewed from its side). The resistance and assistance of the spring 850 is provided when the center of gravity of the electronic device 102 is vertically positioned above the tilt hinge 809 (e.g., at Figure 1C This may be particularly beneficial in an embodiment where the electronic device 102 is not excessively rotated due to the center of gravity passing over the tilt hinge 809.

[0123] The friction disk 852 can be used to apply frictional resistance to the relative movement of the cylinders 840, 842. By requiring greater torque for the rotation of the cylinders 840, 842 in both directions (i.e., tilting forward and tilting backward), the resistance can improve ergonomics. The increased torque can help limit unintentional tilting movement of the electronic device (e.g., when the device is bumped or the bracket is shaken and the rotational position of the device may drift). The friction disk 852 can have an adjustable compression or tension so that the friction applied by the disk can be adjusted to a predetermined level. In combination with the spring 850, the friction disk 852 can be tuned so that the user only needs to provide a single predetermined, substantially equal torque to tilt the device in either direction.

[0124] As discussed above, if the rod is not properly constrained, the rod may wobble or have a loose fit with the receiver opening. Figures 8 to 11 The connection system can be used to constrain the movement of the rod relative to the receiving member opening 820 with at least five (and possibly six) degrees of freedom. To this end, the receiving member opening 820 may include a pair of curved protrusions 1100, such as Fig.11 As shown in (and also in Figure 8 and Fig.10 800 ), the pair of curved protrusions are configured to engage the curved end surface 1102 of the end portion 1104 of the rod 800. In other words, the receiver opening 820 may include two guide surfaces (located on the protrusions 1100) that are configured to engage the two guide surfaces (i.e., opposite sides of 1102) of the rod 800. In some embodiments, the guide surfaces may be formed as part of the inner wall of the opening 820 rather than as part of the protrusion 1100.

[0125] To ensure a tight fit between the pair of guide surfaces, one shaft 808-a may be mounted with its threaded end portion 834 configured to engage the threads of the lateral opening 810 of the rod 800 while contacting the shoulder 846 of the widened hole 844 of the receiver barrel 840, as shown in FIG. Fig. 9 The shaft 808 may include its own widened portion 836 (i.e., the shank) to form its own shoulder 837, such as Fig. 9 and Fig.10 As shown. Thus, when the threads at portion 834 are tightened, shoulders 837, 846 are pulled and held in contact with each other. At the same time, end portion 1104 of rod 800 is pulled between curved protrusions 1100 and in close contact with the curved protrusions through the threads. Rod 800 is thereby fixed to receiver barrel 840 and is restricted from movement relative to receiver barrel 840, such as Fig. 9 and Fig.11 The contact at the curved protrusion 1100 also prevents the rod 800 from rotating relative to the barrel 840 around at least the x-axis and the z-axis. The diameter of the shaft end portion 834 and the appropriate tight fit and size of the lateral opening 813 of the receiving member barrel 840 can also prevent the rod 800 from rotating relative to the barrel 840 around the y-axis. The outer curved surface of the end portion 1104 can be referred to as the guide surface of the rod 800, and the curved protrusion 1100 can be referred to as the guide surface of the receiving member barrel 840. The outer curved surface of the end portion 1104 is a curved tapered surface that gradually changes the width of the end portion 1104 from the maximum thickness to a narrower thickness that engages with the corresponding tapered shape of the curved protrusion 1100.

[0126] In some embodiments, the tilt hinge 809 may include a non-orthogonal angled or tapered (similar to a "V") guide surface against which the curved (or alternatively, non-orthogonal, tapered, "V") surface of the rod 800 may contact. In addition, although the protrusion 1100 has a convex surface that contacts the rod 800, in some embodiments, a protrusion 1100 having a flat tapered surface or a concave surface may be used to receive the rod 800. The movement of the rod 800 in the opening 820 (e.g., along the Fig.11 The positive x-axis in the figure may enable the guide surfaces to abut and slide against each other until the guide surfaces reach a position where mechanical interference caused by contact between the guide surfaces prevents any further movement of the rod 800 relative to the opening 820. The engagement of the guide surfaces on the elements 1100 and 1102 causes the clamping of the rod 800 to be similar to Fig. 7A and Figure 7B The schematic clamping and Figure 5D and Figure 6B of the guiding surface.

[0127] In some embodiments, the lateral opening 810 receiving the shaft 808-a is configured to have a length or position that allows the shaft 808-a to be tightened in the opening 810 without being tightened at the innermost end 858 of the opening 810, such as Fig. 9 860. The gap 860 ensures that the end portion 834 is not prevented from being sufficiently tightened to abut the guide surfaces on the elements 1100 and 1102. This feature ensures that the innermost end 858 and the shaft 808-a do not need to be perfectly sized and manufactured. Otherwise, the shaft 808-a may be too long relative to the opening 810 to tighten the abutment surface due to interference contact with the innermost end 858. Therefore, the gap 860 reduces manufacturing costs and makes the appropriate hinge assembly simpler.

[0128] The opposite side of the tilt hinge 809 may include a similar shaft 808-b that is mounted into the opposite lateral opening 810 of the rod 800 so that the shaft is brought to the lowest point and contacts the inner end wall of the opening 810. This shaft 808-b can effectively act as a cantilever or pin extending from the rod 800 without constraining the movement of the rod 800 relative to the receiving opening 820. However, the two shafts 808 may have the same size so as to be interchangeable, and thus be easier for the user to install and adjust. In other words, the user does not need to keep track of which fastener fits in each side of the tilt hinge 809. The manufacturer also only needs to make two into one part instead of two unique parts, thereby saving production costs due to scale savings. In order to make one opening 810 have a gap 860 and the other opening has no gap 860, the opening 810 may have different depths, or the receiving tube 840 may have different thicknesses between the receiving opening 820 and the shoulders (e.g., 837) in the holes (e.g., 844) on each side.

[0129] Fig.12 Shown along Fig. 9840 , and the like. The rod 800 and the receiver barrel 840 may be configured to rotate relative to the arm barrel 842 as shown in the figure. The arm barrel 842 may include an internal opening 1200, and the rod 800 and the receiver barrel 840 rotate within the internal opening about the rotation axis 848. The rod 800 is shown in phantom at an upwardly rotated position 1202. The opening 1200 may have rear surfaces 1204, 1206, and the top and bottom surfaces of the rod 800 may be moved to contact the rear surfaces to define the limit of the rotation of the rod 800 relative to the arm barrel 842. The front surfaces 1208, 1210 may be arranged so that even when the rod 800 is in its extreme tilted position about the rotation axis 848, the rod 800 never contacts the front surface (i.e., there is a gap or void between the front surfaces 1208, 1210). Thus, when the top of the rod 800 engages the rear top surface 1206 and is therefore unable to rotate further, the rod 800 may be spaced apart from or out of contact with the front bottom surface 1208. Similarly, when the bottom of the rod 800 engages the rear bottom surface 1204, the top of the rod 800 may not be in contact with the front top surface 1210. This configuration may reduce the chance that the rod 800 will pinch and compress an object positioned between the rod 800 and the opening 1200 when entering from the front side. Fig.12 An alternative configuration of the arm sleeve 842 is also shown, wherein a rear wall 1212 is included on the arm sleeve 842. The rear wall 1212 can prevent objects from intruding into the opening 1200 from the rear side of the hinge 809.

[0130] FIG. 13A to FIG. 13B A diagrammatic side view of a support system 1300 for an electronic device is shown. The support system 1300 can be implemented as a portion of the support system 100, such as for lifting the arm 112 and associated joints 110, 114 and connecting devices 108 and 118. The support system 1300 can include an arm assembly 1302 that extends between an electronic device 1304 and a stand 1306 (or other ground / support surface) and engages the electronic device to the stand. The arm assembly 1302 includes a housing 1301 containing a support mechanism that manages and supports the vertical position of the electronic device 1304 relative to the stand 1306.

[0131] The arm assembly 1302 includes a device attachment structure 1308 fixed to the electronic device 1304 and is capable of pivoting relative to the tilt connector 1310 at the tilt hinge 1309. In some embodiments, the tilt hinge 1309 has its pivot axis coaxial with the center point between the attachment points 1318, 1322 on the tilt connector 1310. The tilt hinge may include a combination of Figures 2 to 12 The configuration described and only in Fig.13AIn some embodiments, the device attachment structure 1308 and the tilt connector 1310 may be formed as a single device attachment structure 1308 (without the tilt hinge 1309) or may be collectively referred to as a device attachment structure.

[0132] The support structure 1312 is coupled to the bracket 1306. In some embodiments, the support structure 1312 is a one-piece rigid structure connected to the bracket 1306, or is an integral part of the bracket. The support structure 1312 may also include a tilt hinge (e.g., similar to Figures 2 to 12 ) to provide additional articulation and range of motion to the system 1300, in which case the support structure 1312 may be able to pivot relative to the support base connector (e.g., 118).

[0133] The first arm 1314 and the second arm 1316 are coupled to the tilt connector 1310 and to the support structure 1312. The tilt connector 1310 includes a first attachment point 1318 and a second attachment point 1322, respectively, and the support structure 1312 includes a third attachment point 1320 and a fourth attachment point 1324, respectively. The first arm 1314 and the second arm 1316 are connected to the support structure 1312. FIG. 13A to FIG. 13B The attachment points shown are pivotally connected to the tilt connector 1310 and the support structure 1312. The lengths of the arms 1314, 1316 are equal, and the distances between the first / second and third / fourth attachment points are equal, so the attachment points form the corners of the pivot profile of a parallelogram. This configuration of pivot points and connecting parts is called a "four-bar" linkage or mechanism.

[0134] like Fig.13A As shown, the arm assembly 1302 can have a first (eg, horizontal) position in which the angled connector 1310 and the support structure 1312 are parallel and perpendicular to each other, thereby forming a rectangle with attachment points. Fig. 13B The arm assembly 1302 is shown movable to a position where the electronic device 1304 is lowered downward, but the tilt connector 1310 and the support structure 1312 remain parallel and perpendicular to each other. Thus, adjustment of the arm assembly 1302 advantageously does not automatically change the tilt orientation of the electronic device 1304, and the electronic device only translates upward or downward (along an arc path) when the arm assembly 1302 is adjusted (there is also a small horizontal translation).

[0135] The housing 1301 has two end openings 1326, 1328 through which the device attachment structure 1308 (and / or the tilt connector 1310) and the support structure 1312 extend, respectively. To prevent objects and debris from entering the housing 1301, a shield 1330, 1332 may be mounted at each end of the housing 1301 around the four-bar mechanism. The shields 1330, 1332 may have a substantially circular or partially circular shape with sufficient dimensions to completely cover the inner perimeter of the openings 1326, 1328 at any rotational position of the arm assembly 1302 and / or the tilt hinge 1309. To do so, the front shield 1330 at the tilt hinge 1309 is configured to cover a greater range of angles (e.g., by having a circular 360 degree side profile) because the full combined range of movement of the arm assembly 1302 and the tilt hinge 1309 may expose more than 180 degrees of the circumference of the shield 1330. Since the opening 1328 only needs to be covered during rotation of the four-bar mechanism at the support structure 1312, the rear shield 1332 can have a generally C-shape or have a 180 degree coverage / semi-circular side profile. FIG. 13A to FIG. 13B It is shown how the sheaths 1330 , 1332 have portions that radially overlap the housing 1301 (relative to a center point between the attachment points 1318 , 1320 , 1322 , 1324 ) at various rotational angles of the arm assembly 1302 .

[0136] The balancing mechanism can be used in conjunction with the four-bar mechanism to help prevent the weight of the electronic device 1304 from causing downward sagging relative to the stand 1306 and to make the amount of force required to raise the electronic device 1304 by rotating the arm assembly 1302 more equal to the amount of force required to lower the electronic device 1304 by rotating the arm assembly 1302. The balancing mechanism can include at least one spring 1334 located within a retainer 1336 at a location between the first arm 1314 and the second arm 1316 and between the tilt connector 1310 and the support structure 1312. In some embodiments, a retainer bar 1338 can extend between the arms 1314, 1316, with a pivot point attached to the arms 1314, 1316 along a line parallel to the ends of the four-bar mechanism, such as FIG. 13A to FIG. 13B Then, the retainer 1336 is pivotally connected to the retainer rod 1338, wherein the spring 1334 is located inside the retainer rod. In some configurations, the retainer 1336 does not constrain the side of the spring 1334 and only constrains one end of the spring 1334 with the spring retaining portion 1340.

[0137] The retainer 1336 may have a spring retaining portion 1340 (e.g., a convex portion, ridge, or protrusion) configured to engage and contact the end of the spring 1334. Thus, the spring retaining portion 1340 may prevent the spring 1334 from being separated from the retainer 1336 (e.g., pulled out or falling out). In some embodiments, the spring retaining portion 1340 may be a part that provides mechanical interference to the movement of the end of the spring 1334 relative to the retainer 1336. In some embodiments, the spring retaining portion 1340 may include a fastener, weldment, or other attachment feature that engages the end of the spring 1334 to the retainer 1336, and thereby prevents the end of the spring 1334 from moving relative to the retainer 1336.

[0138] The balancing mechanism may also include a rod 1342 pivotally connected to the first arm 1314 or the second arm 1316 at a rod pivot point 1344. The opposite end of the rod 1342 may extend through or around the spring 1334 and may be coupled to an end of the spring 1334 positioned on the spring 1334 opposite the rod pivot point 1344. FIG. 13A to FIG. 13B As shown, rod 1342 may have flared ends that form a platform against which the end of spring 1334 may abut and contact. In some embodiments, the end of rod 1342 may be attached or attached to the end of spring 1334, such as by fastening or welding in a manner that links the movement of the rod to the movement of the end of spring 1334.

[0139] As the four-bar mechanism rotates, the rod 1342 of the counter-balancing mechanism also rotates due to the movement of the first arm 1314 and the movement of the retainer 1336 (via the movement of the retainer rod 1338). The rod 1342 is not parallel to one of the sides of the four-bar mechanism and does not have its spring-connected end connected to the other arm (i.e., 1316), and therefore, the rod 1342 does not rotate at the same angular velocity as the arm to which it is connected (i.e., 1314). Therefore, when the first arm 1314 pivots about the third attachment point 1320, the angle between the rod 1342 and the arm 1314 decreases, as shown by comparing FIG. 13A to FIG. 13B The relative angles A1 and A2 between the rod and the arm are shown in FIG.

[0140] A decrease in angle A (e.g., from A1 to A2) causes rod 1342 to compress spring 1334 within holder 1336. This is due to the coupling of the end of rod 1342 to spring 1334, which applies a compressive force to spring 1334 (directed toward rod pivot point 1344 along the length of rod 1342), and due to the coupling of spring retaining portion 1340 to spring 1334, which prevents spring 1334 from being pulled out of holder 1336 (i.e., provides a force that resists the compressive force of rod 1342). If angle A increases (e.g., from A2 to A1), spring 1334 releases energy as the spring presses against spring retaining portion 1340 and the end of rod 1342. Thus, spring 1334 can store potential energy when electronic device 1304 moves downward, and can release potential energy when device 1304 moves upward, thereby assisting the user in raising the device and slowing the descent of the device as it moves downward. Friction plates may be added to the attachment points 1318 , 1320 , 1322 , 1324 to add additional frictional resistance to the movement of the four-bar mechanism so that the arm assembly 1302 has a secure and predictable feel.

[0141] Thus, the positioning of the rod pivot point 1344 and the retainer rod 1338 relative to each other and to the arms 1314, 1316 can define the rate at which the spring 1334 is compressed (or decompressed) by the rotation of the arm assembly 1302. Thus, the spring, retainer, and rod can be designed so that a predetermined amount of potential energy will be stored or released when the arm assembly 1302 rotates. For example, these components can be designed based on the mass of the electronic device and the mass of the rest of the arm assembly 1302 so that energy storage in the spring 1334 closely follows potential energy loss in the device 1304 (and the arm), and vice versa. A variety of springs can be used for the spring 1334, including compression springs, leaf springs, springs used in series or parallel, springs with linear spring constants, springs with nonlinear spring constants, and combinations thereof.

[0142] FIG. 14A to FIG. 14C A side view of another embodiment of a lift system 1400 is shown in which an arm assembly 1402 is connectable to an electronic device 1304 and a bracket 1306 . Fig.14A A side view of a device attachment structure 1404, a support structure 1406, and an arm-housing 1408 is shown, the arm-housing being pivotally connected to the device attachment structure 1404 and the support structure 1406 at pivot joints 1410 and 1412, respectively. The device attachment structure 1404 may have a tilt joint 1411 that is offset from the pivot joint 1410 of the arm-housing 1408, or may have a tilt joint at the pivot joint 1410, which allows the electronic device 1304 to pivot relative to the rest of the device attachment structure 1404.

[0143] The arm-housing 1408 may function similarly to the arm 1314 or the arm 1316 by providing a rigid link between the pivot joints 1410, 1412. The arm-housing 1408 may also be configured to enclose and cover at least one side of the device attachment structure 1404 and the support structure 1406. Fig.14A 1406, and the arm-housing 1408 covers its rear side. The arm-housing 1408 may also extend over and around the device attachment structure 1404 and the support structure 1406, and thus may serve a purpose similar to the housing 1301 by covering the top and bottom surfaces of the device attachment structure 1404 and the support structure 1406. End openings 1414, 1416 may be formed in the arm-housing 1408 to allow the device attachment structure 1404 and the support structure 1406 to protrude from the housing.

[0144] like Fig. 14B As shown, the system 1400 may also include a band 1418 extending between and wrapped around the device attachment structure 1404 and the support structure 1406. The band 1418 may include a series of engagement features (e.g., teeth or ridges) that extend radially inward relative to the pivot joints 1410, 1412 and the axis linking the pivot joints 1410, 1412. The engagement features may be configured to engage grooves, gear teeth, or recesses extending around the periphery of the device attachment structure 1404 and the support structure 1406. Thus, the engagement features of the band 1418, the device attachment structure 1404, and the support structure 1406 may prevent the band 1418 from sliding and render the band 1418 unable to slide while contacting corresponding engagement features on the outer surfaces of the device attachment structure 1404 and the support structure 1406.

[0145] The belt 1418 is configured to link the rotation of the device attachment structure 1404 and the support structure 1406 when they rotate about the pivot joints 1410, 1412, respectively. Fig. 14B and Fig. 14C 1408, thereby ensuring that the electronic device 1304 and the support structure 1306 maintain their angular positions relative to each other, similar to the operation of a four-bar mechanism. For example, these figures show that the device 1304 remains vertical and parallel to the vertical surface of the support 1306 when the system 1400 rotates about the pivot joint 1412. The strap 1418 facilitates this behavior by acting under tension between the device attachment structure 1404 and the support structure 1406.

[0146] As the device attachment structure 1404 or the support structure 1406 rotates, the other structure also rotates due to being acted upon (e.g., by being pulled upon) by the strap 1418. As the system 1400 moves the electronic device 1304 downward, the tension in the top portion of the strap 1418-a rotates the device attachment structure 1404 clockwise (i.e., in direction 1420 about the joint 1410). The tension in the bottom portion 1418-b may also rotate the device attachment structure 1404 clockwise. As the system 1400 moves the device upward, the tension in the bottom section of the strap 1418-b rotates the device attachment structure 1404 counterclockwise about the joint 1410. The tension in the top portion 1418-a may also assist. Thus, the belt 1418 can flexibly provide a non-slip link between the equipment attachment structure 1404 and the support structure 1406, wherein the belt 1418 applies tension between the top side of the equipment attachment structure 1404 and the support structure 1406 and / or its bottom side depending on the movement direction of the lifting system 1400.

[0147] Additionally, the point at which tension is applied between the straps 1418 may vary as the lifting system 1400 is operated. Fig. 14B The belt 1418 is under tension between points B1 and B2 on the belt, but Fig. 14C 1418, the rotation of the device attachment structure 1404 and the support structure 1406 (and their non-sliding links to the belt 1418) causes tension to be located between points B3 and B4, which are respectively located on the belt 1418 (and are located counterclockwise around the circumference of the structures 1404, 1406) and are closer to the electronic device 1304 than points B1 and B2. Thus, the operation of the lifting system 1400 may include a set of moving tension points on the belt 1418. The moving tension points (e.g., points B1 to B4) may move along the length of the belt 1418 in one direction, such as Fig. 14B and Fig. 14C As shown, points B1 to B4 move along the top portion 1418-a of the belt toward the electronic device 1304 while the lifting system 1400 moves in one direction (e.g., downward). When the lifting system 1400 moves in the opposite direction (e.g., upward, such as from Fig. 14C Move to the position Fig. 14B ), the tension limit can move in the opposite direction. Fig. 14B Moving to the raised position, similar movement of the tension limit will continue (ie, further away from the electronic device 1304 at the top of the device attachment structure 1404 and the support structure 1406).

[0148] The strap 1418 may include a strip comprising rubber, fabric, cord, rope, fiber, composite material, or similar flexible material that is configured to reshape itself to the surfaces of the device attachment structure 1404 and the support structure 1406 as it is wrapped and unwound around its outer circumference. In some embodiments, the strap 1418 may include another similar structure, such as a chain configured to engage teeth or grooves on the device attachment structure 1404 and the support structure 1406.

[0149] In some embodiments, the arm-housing 1408 may also include tension protrusions, pins, or rollers (not shown) configured to maintain the strap 1418 in tension and reduce blowback and slack between the strap 1418 and the device attachment structure 1404 and the support structure 1406. For example, the protrusions or rollers may apply an inward force 1422, such as Fig. 14C shown.

[0150] In addition, if Fig. 14B and Fig. 14C As shown, the lifting system 1400 may include a balancing mechanism 1424. The balancing mechanism 1424 may include the above-mentioned FIG. 13A to FIG. 13B The holder, spring and rod described above can thereby store and release potential energy corresponding to the loss or gain of potential energy of the electronic device 1304 and the lifting system 1400. The balancing mechanism 1424 can have a connection to a pivot point 1426 attached to the arm-housing 1408 and a pivot point 1428 attached to the support structure 1406. The system 1400 can also include sheaths such as 1330 and 1332 ( FIG. 14A to FIG. 14C not shown).

[0151] The pivot point 1426 is shown as being positioned at the opposite end of the holder as compared to the opening through which the rod of the balancing mechanism 1424 passes. In some embodiments, the pivot point 1426 may be positioned at the opening in the holder or along the length between the ends of the holder, such as FIG. 13A to FIG. 13B The pivot point shown. In addition, in some embodiments, the spring can be an extension spring, wherein the spring is configured to store energy by extending its length. For example, the rod can be connected to the end of the extension spring, and the retainer can be connected to the opposite end of the extension spring. Rotation of the link arm can then rotate the rod in a manner that extends the spring, depending on the location of the rod pivot point and the pivot point 1426 of the retainer, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art and with the benefit of hindsight of this disclosure.

[0152] Fig.15A and Fig. 15B Another embodiment of the lifting system 1500 is shown. This embodiment includes similar FIG. 13A to FIG. 13B1501. However, instead of having rigid sheaths 1330, 1332, system 1500 includes flexible sheaths 1530, 1532 that cover end openings 1526, 1528 of housing 1501 and hide internal parts. Flexible sheaths 1530, 1532 may each include a raised portion 1534 positioned between two recessed portions 1536, 1538. Alternatively, raised portion 1534 may be referred to as a central portion, and recessed portions 1536, 1538 may be referred to as end portions. Device attachment structure 1540 extends through the center of front flexible sheath 1530, and support structure 1542 extends through the center of rear flexible sheath 1532. In some embodiments, sheaths 1530, 1532 may be integrally formed with or attached to device attachment structure 1540 and support structure 1542, respectively.

[0153] In the first position, the housing 1501 is horizontal and extends perpendicular to the electronic device 1304 and the bracket 1306, as shown in FIG. Fig.15A As shown, the raised portion 1534 and the recessed portions 1536, 1538 are vertically symmetrical (i.e., mirrored in shape about a horizontal axis), and the recessed portions 1536, 1538 extend to equal depths into the interior cavity of the housing 1501 relative to the opening 1526. The raised portion 1534 covers the entire end opening 1526, and the end tips of the recessed portions 1536, 1538 contact the inner surface of the housing 1501. In the second position, wherein the housing 1501 is rotated and angled relative to the electronic device 1304 and the bracket 1306, as shown in FIG. Fig. 15B As shown, the front and rear flexible sheaths 1530, 1532 are deformed to accommodate the movement of the housing 1501. Specifically, the flexible sheath 1530 slides its upper concave portion 1536 to move deeper into the housing 1501 relative to the opening 1526, and its lower concave portion 1538 slides relative to the housing 1501 to a position closer to the opening 1526. Fig. 15B 1501, and the rear flexible sheath 1532 is opposite. Therefore, when the housing 1501 (and the support mechanism within the housing 1501) rotates and moves, the flexible sheaths 1530, 1532 can be deformed to accommodate the movement. The length of the front and rear flexible sheaths 1530, 1532 can be designed to ensure that the ends at the ends of the recessed portions 1536, 1538 slide along the inner surface parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing 1501, and will not appear outside the openings 1526, 1528 even when the device attachment structure 1540 and the support structure 1542 are in the most extreme rotational position relative to the housing 1501.

[0154] In some cases, the flexible sheaths 1530, 1532 may slide along the inner surface of the housing 1501, thereby sweeping debris or other objects out of the space between the housing 1501 and the sheaths 1530, 1532, and preventing material from entering the housing 1501 inside the sheaths 1530, 1532. In some embodiments, the flexible sheaths 1530, 1532 may engage the inner lip of their respective openings 1526 or 1528 and may remain in contact with the inner lip to block intruding objects.

[0155] In some embodiments, the flexible sheaths 1530, 1532 apply an outward pressure to the housing 1501, as indicated by arrow D, which is oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis extending across the housing 1501. Thus, as the flexible sheaths 1530, 1532 slide along the inner surface of the housing 1501 due to rotation of the housing 1501, the flexible sheaths can maintain contact with the inner surface of the housing 1501. The contact with the inner surface can help maintain a seal and barrier, preventing debris or objects from entering the housing 1501 between the housing 1501 and the flexible sheaths 1530, 1532.

[0156] Flexible sheaths 1530, 1532 may each include a single piece of flexible material, such as sheet metal, plastic, composite material, rubber or similar material configured to bend and unfold elastically. In some embodiments, sheaths 1530, 1532 may include a set of flexibly linked or hinged segments that can bend or fold to accommodate movement of housing 1501 relative to device attachment structure 1540 and support structure 1542. Therefore, some configurations may be referred to as a "garage door" arrangement with rigid and hinged parts. In some embodiments, the ends of sheaths 1530, 1532 may be guided by rails, tracks or other support surfaces to ensure that the ends of the sheaths do not unexpectedly fall or slide into interference or contact with arm assemblies or balance mechanisms within housing 1501.

[0157] The use of flexible sheaths 1530, 1532 can advantageously allow the interior of housing 1501 to be substantially open, allowing the arm support assembly and the counterbalance mechanism to use that space. Device manufacturers can use larger, longer parts within housing 1501, or can reduce the length of the arm, because these parts do not require a sheath (e.g., 1330) extending radially inward relative to the longitudinal axis of the housing (e.g., 1301). This can save costs, simplify manufacturing and assembly, and reduce weight.

[0158] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to systems and methods for connecting a support bracket to an electronic device, wherein the support bracket includes a protrusion or post configured to engage a receiver or locking mechanism of the electronic device. FIG. 16A to FIG. 19Various views of an embodiment of a system are shown in which a protrusion 1600 of a support bracket 1602 is capable of being securely connected to an electronic device 1604. The device 1604 may include a housing 1606 having an opening 1608 for receiving the protrusion 1600 and a locking mechanism 1610 (i.e., a latch) positioned within the opening 1608 (i.e., within a cavity 1612 formed within the device 1602). Fig.16A A top view of the interface between the protrusion 1600 and the electronic device 1604 is shown, with the protrusion 1600 and the bracket 1602 positioned spaced apart from the opening 1608 (ie, in an unconnected position). Fig. 16B Shown along Fig.16A A side sectional view taken along section line 16B-16B in FIG. Fig.17A A top view of the protrusion 1600 is shown in a second position relative to the housing 1606 , wherein the protrusion 1600 is inserted into the opening 1608 , but is not locked in place by the locking mechanism 1610 . Fig. 17B Shown along Fig.17A A side sectional view taken along section line 17B-17B in FIG. Fig. 17C Shown along Fig.17A A side sectional view of the interface taken along section line 17C-17C in FIG. Fig.18 A side cross-sectional view is shown at a position similar to that of FIG. 17B , but with locking mechanism 1610 locking protrusion 1600 into position within housing 1606 . Fig.19 A similar side cross-sectional view is shown with the locking mechanism 1610 in a position configured to eject the protrusion 1600 out of the housing 1606 .

[0159] The protrusion 1600 may include a narrow portion 1614 and a wide portion 1616, such as Fig.16A and Fig. 16B The portions 1614, 1616 may form a shoulder surface 1618 at their convergence that faces substantially outward relative to the electronic device 1604. The locking mechanism 1610 may include a channel 1620 that is configured such that when the protrusion is moved from an outer position relative to the locking mechanism 1610 ( Fig.16A and Fig. 16B ) to the inserted inner position (FIG. 17A and Fig. 17B ), at least the wide portion 1616 of the protrusion 1600 is inserted through the channel. The protrusion 1600 can be inserted into the locking mechanism 1610 to a sufficient depth so that the shoulder surface 1618 is completely positioned through the channel 1620.

[0160] At 1600° Fig. 17B1608, the projection can no longer be retracted from the channel 1620 or the opening 1608 due to the mechanical interference contact between the shoulder surface 1618 and the forward surface 1624, as shown. Fig.18 The locking mechanism 1610 is able to move downward in this manner because the rotation of the adjustment mechanism 1622 drives the threads on the locking mechanism 1610 to translate the locking mechanism 1610 along the rotation axis of the adjustment mechanism 1622. The locking mechanism 1610 is moved downward from a position vertically offset from the wide portion 1616 of the protrusion 1600 (as shown in FIG. Fig. 16B and Fig. 17B As shown) moves to a position that blocks the wide portion 1616 (as shown Fig.18 ). The adjustment mechanism 1622 can be positioned to extend through a bottom surface of the housing 1606, a side surface of the housing, or a top surface of the housing.

[0161] Additionally, the forward surface 1624 of the locking mechanism 1610 may have a sloped or angled surface that is closer to the housing 1606 at the end closest to the protrusion 1600 and further away from the housing 1606 above that end. Thus, as the locking mechanism 1610 moves downward, it may contact the shoulder surface 1618 and may pull the shoulder surface 1618 inward (i.e., through the opening 1608 and deeper into the electronic device, perpendicular to the direction of movement of the locking mechanism 1610), thereby reducing or eliminating the tilt or rocking between the protrusion and the locking mechanism 1610. The downward movement of the locking mechanism 1610 may proportionally drive additional inward movement of the protrusion 1600 until any play is eliminated.

[0162] In addition, if Fig. 17C As shown, the protrusion 1600 may include guide surfaces 1626, 1628 that contact guide surfaces 1630, 1632 in the opening 1633 of the center block 1634 within the cavity 1612. Thus, the gradual inward movement of the protrusion 1600 may cause the guide surfaces to slide against each other to orient the protrusion 1600 to a desired position and angle relative to the center block 1634 in the housing 1606, similar to other guide surfaces disclosed herein. The contact between the guide surfaces and their inclined receding ramp orientation may prevent the protrusion 1600 from moving with six degrees of freedom relative to the block 1634. The block 1634 may remain stationary relative to the housing 1606, or may be built into the housing 1606 or formed as part of the housing.

[0163] The adjustment mechanism 1622 can also be operated in the other direction (e.g., rotated about its rotational axis in a direction opposite to the direction of actuation in FIG. 18) to move the locking mechanism 1610 upward, such as Fig.19 Moving locking mechanism 1610 upward moves forward facing surface 1624 out of shoulder surface 1618, thereby allowing protrusion 1600 to be moved out of channel 1620 and opening 1608 again.

[0164] Additionally, if the locking mechanism 1610 is moved upward far enough, such as to Fig.19 In the position shown, the rearward surface 1636 (i.e., the ejection surface) of the locking mechanism 1610 can be driven upward against the wide portion 1616 of the protrusion 1600, thereby applying a force to the protrusion 1600 to push the protrusion out of the opening 1608 (i.e., in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the locking mechanism 1610). In some embodiments, the forward end of the wide portion 1616 can have an inclined or ramped surface that is configured to engage the rearward surface 1636 to promote smooth sliding of the protrusion 1600 along the rearward surface 1636 when the protrusion 1600 is ejected. The rearward surface can also be oriented non-orthogonally relative to the longitudinal axis of the protrusion 1600 so that when the rearward surface moves, the ejection force it applies to the protrusion 1600 increases. Channel 1620 may also have a vertical dimension that exceeds the vertical height of protrusion 1600 so that when locking mechanism 1610 moves upward to eject the protrusion, there is sufficient clearance to allow protrusion 1600 to remain in channel 1620, as shown in FIG. Fig. 17B (channel 1620 is shown with additional space below protrusion 1600) and Fig.19 (Channel 1620 is shown having additional space above protrusion 1600).

[0165] therefore, FIG. 16A to FIG. 19 The system can be used to provide a rigid reversible link between the protrusion of the bracket and the locking member in the electronic device. In addition, the positioning of the external device can be reversed. In other words, the bracket 1602 can be an electronic device, and the electronic device 1604 can be a bracket or other attachment base.

[0166] In addition to or in place of the screw-type adjustment mechanism 1622, various other types of adjustment mechanisms may be used. Fig. 20As shown, vertical translation of the locking mechanism 2010 can be caused by a pivoting lever 2022 having an end 2024 attached to or adjacent to the locking mechanism 2010. Downward rotation of the lever 2022 (outside the housing 2006) can drive the locking mechanism 2010 upward, and upward rotation of the lever 2022 (outside the housing 2006) can drive the locking mechanism 2010 downward. The specific implementation of the lever 2022 can eliminate the need for tools to operate the adjustment mechanism and can change the amount of force and torque required compared to another adjustment mechanism (e.g., 1622). It also allows adjustment to be achieved from a different direction (i.e., through a different surface of the housing 1606 - through the back side surface instead of through the top or bottom surface).

[0167] Fig.21 21 shows an embodiment in which the locking mechanism 2110 can be rotated relative to the housing 2106 using an adjustment portion 2122 accessible from the outside of the housing 2106. Rotation of the adjustment portion 2122 about the rotation axis 2125 can cause the locking mechanism 2110 to rotate from an unlocked position ( Fig.21 2110-a) shown in solid lines in FIG. 2110-a) is rotated to a locked position ( Fig.21 2110-b) and vice versa. The forward surface 2124 moves downward as it rotates until it reaches engagement with the shoulder surface 1618, thereby preventing the protrusion 1600 from withdrawing from the housing 2106. As the protrusion moves along the slope of the forward surface 2124, further rotation of the locking mechanism 2110 drives the protrusion 1600 further inward. As a result, rotation of the locking mechanism 2110 can be used to fix the protrusion 1600 in the appropriate position within the housing 2106, rather than linear translation of the locking mechanism 2110. Rotation of the adjustment portion 2122 can be achieved by accessing the adjustment portion 2122 from the rear surface of the housing 2106, which can improve ergonomics and allow other features (or no features at all) to be positioned around the edge of the housing 2106.

[0168] Fig. 22Another embodiment of a terminal of a protrusion 2200 configured to engage and connect to an electronic device (e.g., device 1604) is shown. The protrusion 2200 includes a uniform width along its length and includes an orifice 2202 positioned between the sides of the protrusion 2200, such as at its center, rather than having a narrow portion and a wide portion and a shoulder surface at the transition between these portions. The protrusion 2200 may also have an end recess 2204 aligned with the orifice 2202 (e.g., centered in the protrusion 2200). The orifice 2202 and the recess 2204 may have inclined surfaces (e.g., their substantially vertical sides), such as an outer surface 2206 positioned in the recess 2204, and as shown in FIG. 23A, an inner surface 2208 is located in the orifice 2202. The orifice 2202 may extend through the protrusion 2200, the protrusion being substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the protrusion intersecting the orifice 2202 and the recess 2204.

[0169] The protrusion 2200 can be inserted through the opening 2210 in the housing 2212 of the electronic device and into the retainer block 2214 having an opening 2216 with a guide surface similar to the guide surface of the central block 1634. Thus, the end of the protrusion 2200 can be guided into a snug fit position engaging with the opening 2216, similar to the embodiment of the embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 17C The location is shown and described.

[0170] Fig.23A Shown along Fig. 23B A perspective cross-sectional view taken along section line 23A-23A in FIG. Fig.24A Shown along Fig. 24B A perspective cross-sectional view taken along section line 24A-24A in FIG. Fig. 23B and Fig. 24B A front view of the assembly of the protrusion 2200 inserted into the retainer block 2214 and the housing 2212 is shown with the latch 2218 in different locked positions.

[0171] exist FIG. 23A to FIG. 23B In the unlocked position of FIG. 2204 , the protrusion 2200 is shown inserted into the retainer block 2214 past the wedge-shaped (or hook-shaped) portion 2220 of the latch 2218, wherein the aperture 2202 is positioned above the wedge-shaped portion 2220 of the latch 2218. The protrusion 2200 is able to be inserted through the opening 2208 to this position because the wedge-shaped portion 2220 is in a lowered position that leaves the opening 2208 unobstructed within the housing 2212. FIG. 24A to FIG. 24BIn the locked position, the protrusion 2200 is locked in the housing 2212 by the latch 2218 as the wedge-shaped portion 2220 moves upward into the aperture 2202 and abuts against the inner surface 2208 of the aperture. The wedge-shaped portion 2220 may include a forward surface that engages the inner surface 2208 and has a slope, curvature, or inclined surface that causes the protrusion 2200 to move inward through the opening 2210 when the latch 2218 moves upward, similar to how the vertical movement of the forward surface 1624 drives the protrusion 1600 inward in the previous embodiment.

[0172] The latch 2218 may also have an ejector portion 2222 that is not in contact with the recess 2204 in the locked position, but has a rearwardly facing surface that engages the outer surface 2206 of the recess 2204 in the unlocked position and has an inclined surface angle that pushes the protrusion in a rearwardly directed direction out of the opening 2210. The amount of force applied by the rearwardly facing surface may increase the further the latch 2218 moves downward.

[0173] Link 2224 and a set of pins 2226, 2228 (see FIG. 24A to FIG. 24B ) can be used to move the latch 2218 between the unlocked position and the locked position. The link 2224 can be capable of rotating about the rotation axis pin 2226, such as via a crank or by using a tool inserted into an externally accessible recess in the pin 2226. See Fig.24A Thus, the remainder of the link 2224 can be rotated about the axis of rotation pin 2226. Fig. 23B The position shown is FIG. 24A to FIG. 24B The follower pin 2228 can be positioned in and received by the cam opening 2230 at the bottom end of the latch 2218, so that when the follower pin 2228 rotates around the rotation axis pin 2226, the latch 2218 is guided and slides upward or downward due to the pin 2228 applying upward or downward pressure to the latch 2218 via the cam opening 2230. Therefore, FIG. 23B to FIG. 24B An alternative is shown where the latch 2218 is driven by a rotational input that is converted into a linear translation of a locking member within the housing. This rotational drive input can be used with other latch / lock mechanisms described herein.

[0174] Utilize Combination FIG. 16A to FIG. 24BAny of the embodiments described, various types of locking mechanisms, adjustment mechanisms, latches and pins may be used interchangeably. Thus, the latch 2218 may be configured to be moved using a lever 2022 or a screw-type adjustment mechanism 1622, and the locking mechanism 1610 may use a rotatable link 2224, pins 2226, 2228, and a cam opening 2230 to be adjusted. Thus, various combinations and modifications of the embodiments described herein may be made to adjust the interconnection system and components in a manner customized to the needs of the designer or user.

[0175] FIG. 25A to FIG. 25C Another configuration of a bracket to electronic device interconnect system 2500 is shown. These figures show a right side view of a bracket 2502, wherein a shaft 2504 is configured to attach to a rod 2506 within a housing 2508 of an electronic device 2510. A fastener 2512 can engage the shaft 2504 at an attachment interface and attach the shaft to the rod 2506. When in Fig.25A 25. In the position shown, the shaft 2504 is inserted into the housing 2508 through the opening 2514 (making the fastener 2512 inaccessible), and the locking member 2516 is positioned in a recess 2518 formed in the rod 2506. The rod 2506 has a pivot connection to the housing 2508 at the pivot axis 2520, but because the end of the locking member 2516 is located in the recess 2518, the rod 2506 is prevented from rotating out of the opening 2514 due to mechanical interference with the locking member 2516. Therefore, due to the presence of the fastener 2512 and the rotational fixation of the rod 2506, the shaft 2504 is locked in the housing 2508 and cannot be withdrawn and removed from the rod 2506. Therefore, Fig.25A This may be referred to as a locked configuration of the system 2500. This configuration may advantageously conceal the fasteners 2512 from normal viewing or access from the rear of the housing 2508, thereby giving the system 2500 increased security and a cleaner, fastener-free appearance that reduces consumer confusion as to which parts of the device are computing ports and which parts are structure of the electronic device.

[0176] When the user wishes to unlock the interconnect system 2500 and remove the shaft 2504 from the rod 2506, the fastener 2512 must be removed. To access the fastener, the user can insert a thin tool 2522 (e.g., a credit card, a pin, a flexible rod, a probe, or other narrow and / or flexible material piece) into the gap between the opening 2514 of the housing 2508 and the rod 2506 so that the tool 2522 contacts the rearward surface of the locking member 2516, as shown in FIG. Fig.25B2518. In some embodiments, the user also applies an inwardly directed force to the shaft 2504 to assist in the pivotal rotation of the bottom end of the locking member 2516 so that the locking member is removed from the recess 2518. The locking member 2516 and the rod 2506 may have parallel axes of rotation. When the locking member 2516 is rotated away from the recess 2518, the tool 2522 may prevent the end of the locking member 2516 from re-entering the recess 2518, and the rod 2506 may be rotated at the pivot axis 2520 to a position that exposes the end of the rod 2506 through the opening 2514, which is sufficient to expose the fastener 2512, as shown. Fig.25C In some embodiments, rod 2506 may be biased to Fig.25C Rotate between exposed and unlocked positions as shown. Fig.25C In the exposed and unlocked position, the fastener 2512 can be accessed and removed, thereby allowing the shaft 2504 and the rod 2506 to be separated from each other.

[0177] At the end of the rod Fig.25C In the position shown, applying an inwardly directed force to the end of the rod 2506 can cause it to rotate about the pivot axis 2520 to a position where the end of the locking member 2516 is pulled back into the recess 2518 by gravity, thereby automatically locking the rod 2506 again. Fig.25A In some embodiments, locking member 2516 can include a biasing device configured to apply a biasing torque to locking member 2516 to cause its end to rotate downwardly in a manner that prevents locking member 2516 from dislodging from recess 2518 due to a change in the direction of gravity acting on the device.

[0178] System 2500 may be used with other embodiments disclosed herein. For example, housing 2508 may be part of a support stand for an electronic device, and stand 2502 may alternatively be the electronic device. Stand 2502 may include a lifting arm, such as a combination of FIG. 13A to FIG. 15B Thus, elements of the various embodiments provided herein may be used interchangeably with other embodiments described herein.

[0179] Fig.26A A partial perspective view of another interconnect system 2600 of the present disclosure is shown. System 2600 can connect an electronic device 2602 having a rear protrusion 2604 to a mounting adapter 2606. Fig.26B A top cross-sectional view of system 2600 is shown with mounting adapter 2606 assembled to rear protrusion 2604 and fastener 2607 securing mounting adapter 2606 to rear protrusion 2604 . Fig.26B The cross-sectional view is taken along the central opening 2605 in the mounting adapter 2606.

[0180] The rear protrusion 2604 is rigidly anchored and connected to the electronic device 2602 (such connection may include the use of FIG. 16A to FIG. 25C Attachment of any embodiment shown and described), thereby preventing the protrusion 2604 from substantially moving relative to the electronic device 2602. The rear protrusion 2604 can be used to connect the electronic device 2602 to various hinges and support devices. In some embodiments, the rear protrusion 2604 can be used as a rod or device attachment structure (e.g., 108, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 1308 or 1404) that can be mounted to the tilt hinge using a pair of aligned side openings 2608 that are configured to receive an axle or fastener (e.g., 408, 808, etc.) for mounting the protrusion 2604 to a receiver barrel (e.g., 840) or a receiver opening (e.g., 320). The rear protrusion 2604 may include an additional aligned lateral opening 2610 that is configured to connect to the shaft of a laterally inserted fastener or other tilt hinge (e.g., a hinge having a lateral opening or hole at a different depth relative to the hole to be aligned with the opening 2608). The lateral openings 2608, 2610 may be positioned on a rearwardly extending protrusion 2612 of the rear protrusion 2604. The rear protrusion 2604 may also include a middle portion 2614 having a set of rearward openings 2616. Other embodiments disclosed herein may also implement a set of lateral openings 2608, 2610 and rearward openings 2616, such as the above-mentioned rod and device attachment structure. In one example, a set of lateral openings 2608 may be used in conjunction with a tilt mechanism, while another set of lateral openings 2610 may be used to connect to a lifting mechanism (or vice versa). Thus, in some embodiments, the rear protrusion 2604 can be configured for use in a plurality of applications, including coupling to a tilt mechanism, coupling to a lift mechanism, coupling to a rigid or fixed mount, coupling to a mounting adapter, or coupling to some other mount or connection system, including coupling to any system or embodiment described herein without modifying the rear protrusion 2604.

[0181] The mounting adapter 2606 can be positioned so that the central opening 2605 is aligned with the rearward opening 2616 so that the fastener 2607 can securely engage the adapter 2606 to the rear protrusion 2604. The mounting adapter 2606 can also include a set of rear accessible openings 2618. The rear accessible openings 2618 can be used to attach the mounting adapter 2606 (and the electronic device 2602 via the protrusion 2604) to the support bracket using fasteners that can be attached to the rear accessible openings 2618. In some embodiments, the size and spacing of the rear accessible openings 2618 can be configured to follow standardized size and spacing metrics, such as by arranging the rear accessible openings 2618 to be compatible with VESA or to comply with another type of monitor / computing device support standard. Alternatively, the rear accessible openings 2618 can be arranged and configured to connect to a unique bracket design.

[0182] In some embodiments, the mounting adapter 2606 may include at least one forward-facing surface 2620 configured to engage a rearward-facing surface 2622 of the electronic device 2602 when the mounting adapter 2606 is in use. The forward-facing surface 2620 may help stabilize the adapter 2606 and ensure a rigid, non-wobbling connection between the mounting adapter 2606 and the electronic device 2602 (via the fastener 2607).

[0183] Fig. 27 A partially exploded top cutaway view of a connection assembly for a pole 2700 connectable to an electronic device 2702 and a tilt hinge 2709 connected to a support bracket 2712 is shown. Fig.28 An assembled top cutaway view is shown with rod 2700 incorporated into tilt hinge 2709 . Fig.29 An exploded top cutaway view of the internal parts of the tilt hinge 2709 is shown. The rod 2700 includes a set of axially parallel openings 2710 that are configured to align with corresponding axial openings 2711 on the pin 2701 that are rotatably mounted to the lift arm 2712 within the outer barrel 2740. The set of openings 2710, 2711 can receive a set of corresponding fasteners 2715. The fasteners 2715 can be used to fixedly mount the rod 2700 to the pin 2701 and effectively engage the structure of the fastener to act as a single piece. In this way, the pin 2701 and the rod 2700 can perform together. Figures 8 to 12 The functions of the rod 800, shafts 808-a, 808-b and receiving member cylinder 840 of the relevant embodiment.

[0184] Rod 2700, pin 2701, and electronic device 2702 may form a display portion of an assembly that is tilted relative to lift arm 2712 at tilt hinge 2709. Use of fastener 2715 may enable tilt hinge 2709 to be assembled without externally accessible fasteners (e.g., shaft 808) being exposed from the sides of outer barrel 1240. In other words, fastener 2715 may only be visible and accessible or adjustable when a user accesses the interior of the housing of electronic device 2702 (i.e., an area hidden from view when device 2702 and lift arm 2712 are in an assembled state).

[0185] The outer cylinder 1240 can define an internal cavity 2742 in which the internal moving parts of the tilt hinge 2709 are positioned, and the internal cavity 2742 can be closed at its terminal end by a cover 2744, which prevents access to the tilt hinge 2709, such as by an end user or contaminants. The rod 2700 and the electronic device 2702 can be mounted to the tilt hinge 2709 along an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the pin 2701 (i.e., along the Fig. 27 ). The fastener 2715 can be hidden from an end user or observer of the electronic device 2702 and the bracket, giving the entire assembly a clean appearance and structure that prevents the electronic device 2702 from being removed from the lifting arm 2712 unnecessarily (e.g., stolen) or from accumulating dust and debris on the fastener.

[0186] The pin 2701 can be mounted in the interior cavity 2742 by positioning a pair of outer surfaces 2746, 2748 of the pin 2701 within bearings or bushings 2750, 2752 that are fixed in place (e.g., attached, welded in place, crimped, attached using fasteners, etc.) to the outer barrel 2740 in the interior cavity 2742. Thus, the bearings or bushings 2750, 2752 can be stationary relative to the outer barrel 2740 while the pin 2701 rotates about its longitudinal axis, and the bearings or bushings 2750, 2752 can prevent the longitudinal axis of the pin 2701, which is aligned with the center of the bushings 2750, 2752, from moving relative to the outer barrel 2740. The combination of rod 2700 and pin 2701 may advantageously keep rod 2700 properly constrained and prevented from wobbling due to the close fit between bearings or bushings 2750 , 2752 and pin 2701 and the secure fit of rod 2700 to pin 2701 via fasteners 2715 .

[0187] An additional fastener 2717 may be installed between the rear wall 2719 of the electronic device 2712 and the assembly opening 2721 of the rod 2700. The fastener 2717 may be referred to as an assembly fastener or a guide fastener because the fastener may be used to assemble the rod 2700 to the rear wall 2719 prior to installing another pin-attachment fastener 2715. Thus, the guide fastener 2717 may be installed to help simplify the assembly of the pin-attachment fastener 2715 by holding the rod 2700 in position relative to the rear wall 2719 while the openings 2710, 2711 are aligned and filled by the pin-attachment fastener 2715 during assembly.

[0188] A set of friction disc components 2754 may be held in place between a bushing 2750 and an end nut 2756 that are both mounted to threads on the end of the pin 2701 . Fig.29 These components are shown in an exploded state, and Fig.28 These components are shown in an assembled state. The friction disc component 2754 can operate as a friction disc 852, such as to apply frictional resistance to the relative movement of the cylinders 840, 842. See also Figures 8 to 12 2709, these descriptions also apply to the friction disc assembly 2754. The amount of friction applied by the friction disc assembly 2754 is adjusted by adjusting the compression of those components 2754 by the end nuts 2756, thereby allowing the amount of force required to change the tilt angle of the tilt hinge 2709 to be adjusted.

[0189] The opposite end of the pin 2701 may include an end portion 2758 on which an optional spring 2760 is mounted (e.g., a torsion spring or other resilient spring member, such as other resilient structures described or disclosed herein). The spring 2760 may have a Figures 8 to 12 The same features and functions of the spring 850 of the embodiment of the present invention include, at least in part, a first end attached to (e.g., friction fit, welded, or fastened to) the pin 2701 and a second end attached to (e.g., friction fit, welded, or fastened to) the bearing or bushing 2752. Therefore, the description of the spring 850 is applicable to the spring 2760.

[0190] In some embodiments, the spring 2760 may include one or more coils or collars having a first diameter coupled to the end of the pin 2701, and one or more coils having a second diameter (e.g., a larger diameter) coupled to the bearing or bushing 2752. The attachment between these parts 2701, 2760, 2752 may cause the potential energy of the spring 2760 to increase or decrease due to relative rotation between the pin 2701 and the outer cylinder 2740. Thus, the spring 2760 may be used to bias the rotation of the pin 2701 toward a desired "original" or "default" position, in which the potential energy of the spring 2760 is lowest. In some embodiments, this position is a horizontal position, such as Figure 1C As shown. The number of coils or loops on the ends of the spring 2760 can correspond to the amount of friction required to securely hold the spring 2760 to the pin 2701 and to the bearing or bushing 2752 without slipping, particularly when the spring 2760 is held in place by a press fit or friction fit. In some embodiments, the coils or loops of the spring 2760 have a length of at least three circumferences of the outer circumference of their corresponding pin 2701 or bushing 2752 against which they engage and contact, so that the spring 2760 does not slide relative to the pin 2701 or bushing 2752 when the tilt hinge 2709 rotates. In some embodiments, one circumferential length or less is provided for each coil or loop, and the ends of the spring 2760 are fastened or welded to the outer surfaces of the pin 2701 and bushing 2752, thereby minimizing the overall longitudinal length of the spring 2760. See also Figure 31 to Figure 34 implementation plan.

[0191] The spring 2760 can be configured to move forward when the bottom of the device is tilted forward (i.e., the electronic device 102 moves from Figure 1B Move to the position Figure 1C 2702) by applying torque to pin 2701 and outer cylinder 2740, which helps the device rotate in that direction at tilt hinge 2709. When electronic device 2702 is rotated in the opposite direction (e.g., by the electronic device moving from Figure 1C Position to Figure 1BThe spring 2760 can also resist rotation of the electronic device by storing potential energy and applying a resisting torque to the tilt hinge 2709 when the electronic device is rotated in the forward or backward direction (i.e., in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction / parallel to the axis of rotation when viewed from its side). In this way, the spring 2760 can improve the ergonomics of the stand (e.g., 104) by requiring substantially similar (e.g., equal) torques to pivot at the tilt hinge 2709 regardless of whether the electronic device is tilted in the forward or backward direction (i.e., in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction / parallel to the axis of rotation when viewed from its side). The resistance and assistance of the spring 2760 is provided when the center of gravity of the electronic device 2702 is vertically positioned above the tilt hinge 2709 (e.g., in Figure 1C This may be particularly beneficial in an embodiment where the electronic device 2702 is not excessively rotated due to the center of gravity passing over the tilt hinge 2709) so that the electronic device 2702 does not rotate excessively.

[0192] Fig.30 Shown when the rod 2700 is fully inserted through the pin 2701 and the top of the electronic device 2702 is tilted back (similar to Figure 1B When the position shown is Fig.28 2709. The rod 2700 may include a protrusion 2705 that can be inserted into the aperture 2707 in the pin 2709. The protrusion 2705 may have a length sufficient to extend through the length of the rotation axis 3001, extend through the aperture 2707, and protrude from the opposite side of the aperture 2702 relative to the flange of the rod 2700 carrying the set of openings 2710. This corresponds to Fig.12 The position of the rod 800 is shown in the upward rotated position 1202. Fig.30 2 illustrates how a protrusion 2705 of the lever 2700 from the rear side of the pin 2701 allows the lever 2700 to engage an abutment stop surface 3000 at a side surface 3002 of the lever 2700. The electronic device 2702 can be rotated about the rotation axis 3001 so that the protrusion 2705 contacts a second abutment stop surface 3004 above the first stop surface 3000 and on the opposite side relative to the side surface 3002. Thus, the stop surfaces 3000, 3004 can define a rotation limit of the tilt hinge 2709.

[0193] Additionally, in one or both of the extreme rotational positions, a gap 3006 or a small amount of clearance may be formed between the front opening 3008 of the outer barrel 2740 and the side wall of the rod 2700. The gap 3006 may help limit wear or deformation of the surface of the rod 2700 that is visible to the end user, and may help limit the amount of possible clamping of items that become stuck between the outer barrel 2740 and the rod 2700. In some embodiments, the outer barrel 2740 may have a rear wall 3010 that prevents objects from intruding into the opening 3008 from the rear side of the tilt hinge 2709. In some embodiments, the rear wall 3010 may be omitted, and the opening may be formed on the rear side of the outer barrel 2740 between the stop surfaces 3000, 3004, as shown. Fig.12 Representative shown.

[0194] It should be noted that the combination Figures 27 to 30 The embodiments discussed include features and elements that are cross-compatible and can be adapted for use in other embodiments discussed in conjunction with the present disclosure. For example, tilt hinge 2709 can be used to control and support tilt in tilt joint 110, height joint 114, tilt hinge 1309, tilt hinge 1411, lift system 1500, bracket 1602, bracket 2502, etc. Thus, features discussed in conjunction with one embodiment can be applied to and used in conjunction with other embodiments disclosed herein.

[0195] Figure 31 to Figure 34 Aspects of a compact tilt hinge 3100 are shown that can be advantageously used in stands and lifting structures, particularly where the hinge has a constrained width along its axis of rotation F. For example, the compact tilt hinge 3100 can be used at the end of a lifting arm (e.g., at a tilt joint 110, a height joint 114, a tilt hinge 1309, a tilt hinge 1411, a lifting system 1500, a stand 1602, a stand 2502, etc.). The tilt hinge 3100 is shown in FIG. Fig.31 The electronic device 3103 is connected to the front end of the lifting arm 3101 of the bracket 3107. The tilt hinge 3100 can be configured to fit laterally between two end blocks 3102, 3104 that intersect the rotation axis F. The center pin 3105 (see Fig.34 Along Fig.32A34-34 in the perspective cross-sectional view) can extend between the end blocks 3102, 3104 and can rotate about the rotation axis F relative to the end blocks 3102, 3104. In some embodiments, the center pin 3105 can be configured to remain fixed and stationary relative to the end blocks 3102, 3104. The end blocks 3102, 3104 can be part of a four-bar linkage, such as the ends of the tilt connector 1310 or a similar linkage component to which two parallel linkage arms (e.g., 1314, 1316) are pivotally connected.

[0196] The rod 3106 may be mounted / may be capable of being mounted to the electronic device 3103, similar to the other rods described herein. The rod 3106 may also be mounted to a pair of movable blocks 3108, 3110 that are capable of rotating about a rotation axis F relative to the end blocks 3102, 3104. In some embodiments, the rod 3106 and at least one of the blocks 3108, 3110 may be formed as a single piece or as a rod assembly that operates as a single piece when assembled. Thus, when one or more of the blocks 3108, 3110 are included, the rod 3106 may include a block portion that performs the function of one or more of the blocks. The end blocks 3102, 3104 may include one or more stop surfaces (e.g., Fig.32A , Fig.32B , Fig.34 3112), at least one of the movable blocks 3108 and 3110 may abut against the one or more stop surfaces to provide at least one rotational limit to the hinge 3100. Fig.32A The rod 3106 is shown in a first rotational position (aligned with the longitudinal axis of the lifting arm 3101, i.e., in Fig.31 ), and Fig.32B The rod 3106 in the second rotational position is angularly displaced about 15 to 25 degrees relative to the first rotational position about the rotational axis F. In the second position, the stop surface 3112 engages the first block 3108 .

[0197] The tilt hinge 3100 can be used to provide a balancing force between the electronic device 3103 and the lifting arm 3101 using an energy storage device 3114 (e.g., a spring / torsion spring, a grouped coil, or other elastic spring biasing member) coiled around the rotation axis F and the center pin 3105. The energy storage device 3114 can be configured similar to other energy storage devices discussed herein, wherein the energy storage device can store and release energy to assist in the smooth and easy rotation of the electronic device 3103 around the rotation axis F, while also helping to keep the electronic device 3103 in place once the user has moved the device to a selected tilt position. To this end, the energy storage device 3114 includes a first end 3116 mounted to a first sleeve 3118 and a second end 3120 mounted to a second sleeve 3122. The first end 3116 may include one or more coils attached to the first sleeve 3118 (e.g., by friction fit, welding, adhesive, etc.), and the second end 3120 may include one or more coils attached to the second sleeve 3122 (e.g., by friction fit, welding, adhesive, etc.). One or both of the first sleeve 3118 and the second sleeve 3120 may have an axial opening configured to receive the center pin 3105, as shown in Figures 33 to 34. Fig.34 As shown. In some embodiments, the first sleeve 3118 can be mounted to the center pin 3105 and rotate with the center pin 3105 about the longitudinal / tilt rotation axis F, and in some embodiments, the first sleeve 3118 can be mounted to the first block 3108 and does not have to synchronize its rotation with the center pin 3105 about the axis F. The second sleeve 3122 can be an arm block that may not have a central opening, such as by being an integral part of (or permanently mounted to) an end block (e.g., 3102, 3104) or otherwise synchronizing its movement and stationary relative to the end block when operating the joint. The second sleeve 3122 can be integrally formed as part of an arm block or arm block assembly that is or acts as a single piece having one or more of the end blocks 3102, 3104 and any intermediate blocks connected to each other.

[0198] Balanced component parts Fig.333104. The first end 3116 and the second end 3120 may have different inner diameters to accommodate the different sized outer diameters of the first sleeve 3118 and the second sleeve 3122. The second sleeve 3122 may be attached to the lifting arm in a manner that remains stationary relative to the end blocks 3102, 3104. Thus, rotation of the rod 3106 causes the first block 3108, the center pin 3105, and the first sleeve 3118 to rotate relative to the second sleeve 3122 and the two end blocks 3102, 3104 about the rotation axis F. This relative rotation of the sleeves 3118, 3120 stores or releases energy from the energy storage device 3114 to balance the movement of the electronic device 3103 relative to the lifting arm 3101. FIG. 32A to FIG. 32B It is shown how the parts move relative to each other and relative to the axis of rotation F.

[0199] The first sleeve 3118 may include a set screw 3124, other fasteners, or similar removable or adjustable clamping devices to adjustably attach the first sleeve 3118 to the first block 3108 and / or the center pin 3105. The set screw 3124 may be used to tune and adjust the neutral position for the energy storage device 3114, which may be particularly beneficial in embodiments where the center of gravity of the electronic device 3103 moves from one side (e.g., the front side) to the opposite side (e.g., the rear side) of the rotation axis F of the tilt hinge 3100.

[0200] For example, Fig.31 As shown, when the device 3103 is in the first position, the center of gravity G1 of the electronic device 3103 is located in front of the rotation axis F. The electronic device 3103 can be tilted backward around the axis F so that the center of gravity moves to point G2 (directly above the axis F) or point G3 (to the rear of the axis F). When the electronic device 3103 is located in front of the axis F and the center of gravity is located at G1, the balancing energy storage device 3114 needs to provide a moment in the first direction to support the weight of the electronic device (for example, from Fig.31 When the center of gravity moves to point G2, the balancing assembly does not need to apply any torque because the weight of the electronic device 3103 is centered above the axis F. When the center of gravity moves to point G3, the balancing assembly needs to apply a torque in the second direction (e.g., from Fig.31 3103 is in the first position (corresponding to G1), and does not provide a torque when the electronic device 3103 is in the second position (corresponding to G2), and provides a second balancing torque in the second direction when the electronic device 3103 is in the third position (corresponding to G3).

[0201] The neutral angle for the tilt hinge 3100 (based on the neutral position of the energy storage device 3114) may vary undesirably due to manufacturing tolerances, assembly variations, and similar variances in the configuration and assembly of the electronic device 3103, the bracket 3107, the lift arm 3101, and the tilt hinge 3100. Therefore, the first sleeve 3118 and the set screw 3124 enable adjustment of the neutral position of the energy storage device 3114 during or after assembly of the tilt hinge 3100, and the finished product can have a precisely tuned (or, if desired, adjustably tuned) neutral angle that does not cause the electronic device 3103 to deviate from a user-selected positioning.

[0202] Thus, one aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method for constructing or assembling a tilt hinge, wherein the tilt hinge 3100 is loosely assembled with a fixing screw 3124, and then the electronic device 3103 is moved to a position where its center of gravity G2 is above the rotation axis F (or wherever the neutral angle of the energy storage device 3114 needs to be positioned), and then the fixing screw 3124 is secured in place to fix the neutral angle of the energy storage device 3114, and thereafter forward to a position tuned to the correct torque transition position for the electronic device 3103, taking into account any changes in weight, size, shape, etc. of parts of the electronic device 3103 or the tilt hinge 3100.

[0203] In addition, using the neutral angle of the energy storage device 3114 to accurately construct the position of G2 can eliminate the wiggle, jitter or jump caused by the energy storage device 3114 irregularly transitioning through its zero torque neutral position, thereby improving the smoothness of the tilt hinge 3100 and the movement of the electronic device 3103. In addition, the wiggle and irregular movement of the electronic device at the tilt hinge can be caused by releasing the coil of the energy storage device when the energy storage device approaches or reaches its neutral position. The grip of the coil on the axis of the hinge assembly (e.g., gripping the end of the energy storage device 2760 on the pin 2701 and the bushing 2752) can at least partially loosen and unstably change the amount of torque applied to the hinge by the energy storage device, or can provide a dead zone below the required torque for a portion of the range of motion of the tilt hinge. Therefore, in some embodiments, the ends of the coil of the energy storage device (e.g., the end 3116 and the end 3120 of the device 3114) can be welded or otherwise permanently attached to the structure to which the energy storage device is configured to apply torque. To this end, the energy storage device can have a torque profile that transitions steadily, continuously, and predictably between one direction (e.g., clockwise), through zero torque (instantaneously) to a second opposite direction (e.g., counterclockwise). The smoothness and continuity of the torque profile transitions can prevent jitter or dead zones in the motion of the tilt hinge 3100.

[0204] To the extent applicable to the present technology, the collection and use of data obtained from various sources can be used to improve the delivery of inspirational content or any other content that may be of interest to users. The present disclosure contemplates that in some instances, such collected data may include personal information data that uniquely identifies or can be used to contact or locate a specific person. Such personal information data may include demographic data, location-based data, phone numbers, email addresses, ID, home address, data or records related to the user's health or fitness level (e.g., vital sign measurements, medication information, exercise information), date of birth, or any other identifying or personal information.

[0205] The present disclosure recognizes that the use of such personal information data in the present technology can be used to benefit users. For example, the personal information data can be used to deliver targeted content that users are more interested in. Therefore, the use of such personal information data enables users to have planned control over the content delivered. In addition, the present disclosure also anticipates other uses of personal information data that benefit users. For example, health and fitness data can be used to provide insights into the user's overall health status, or can be used as positive feedback to individuals who use technology to pursue health goals.

[0206] This disclosure envisions that entities responsible for collecting, analyzing, disclosing, transmitting, storing or otherwise using such personal information data will comply with established privacy policies and / or privacy practices. Specifically, such entities should implement and adhere to privacy policies and practices that are recognized as meeting or exceeding industry or government requirements for maintaining the privacy and security of personal information data. Such policies should be easily accessible to users and should be updated as the collection and / or use of data changes. Personal information from users should be collected for the legitimate and reasonable purposes of the entity and not shared or sold outside of these legitimate uses. In addition, such collection / sharing should be performed after receiving the user's informed consent. In addition, such entities should consider taking any necessary steps to defend and secure access to such personal information data and ensure that others who have access to personal information data comply with their privacy policies and processes. In addition, such entities may subject themselves to third-party assessments to demonstrate their compliance with widely accepted privacy policies and practices. In addition, policies and practices should be adjusted to specific types of personal information data collected and / or accessed, and to applicable laws and standards including specific considerations of jurisdiction. For example, in the United States, the collection or access of certain health data may be governed by federal and / or state laws, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), while health data in other countries may be subject to other regulations and policies and should be handled accordingly. Therefore, different privacy practices should be maintained in each country for different types of personal data.

[0207] Regardless of the foregoing, the present disclosure also contemplates implementation schemes in which users selectively block the use or access of personal information data. That is, the present disclosure contemplates that hardware elements and / or software elements may be provided to prevent or block access to such personal information data. For example, with respect to an advertising delivery service, the technology of the present invention may be configured to allow a user to choose to "opt in" or "opt out" at any time during or after registration for the service to participate in the collection of personal information data. In another example, a user may choose not to provide emotion-related data for a target content delivery service. In another example, a user may choose to limit the length of time that emotion-related data is retained, or completely prohibit the development of basic emotional conditions. In addition to providing "opt-in" and "opt-out" options, the present disclosure contemplates providing notifications related to access or use of personal information. For example, a user may be notified that their personal information data will be accessed when downloading an application, and then the user may be reminded again just before the personal information data is accessed by the application.

[0208] In addition, it is an object of the present disclosure that personal information data should be managed and processed to minimize the risk of unintentional or unauthorized access or use. Risks can be minimized by limiting data collection and deleting data once it is no longer needed. In addition, and when applicable, including in certain health-related applications, data de-identification can be used to protect the privacy of users. De-identification can be facilitated by removing specific identifiers (e.g., date of birth, etc.), controlling the amount or specificity of stored data (e.g., collecting location data at the city level rather than at the address level), controlling how data is stored (e.g., aggregating data on users), and / or other methods when appropriate.

[0209] Thus, while the present disclosure broadly covers the use of personal information data to implement one or more of the various disclosed embodiments, the present disclosure also contemplates that various embodiments may also be implemented without access to such personal information data. That is, various embodiments of the present technology will not fail to function properly due to the lack of all or a portion of such personal information data. For example, content may be selected and delivered to a user by inferring preferences based on non-personal information data or an absolute minimum amount of personal information, such as content requested by a device associated with the user, other non-personal information available to a content delivery service, or publicly available information.

[0210] For the purpose of illustration, the foregoing description uses specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details are not required in order to practice the embodiments. Therefore, for the purpose of illustration and description, the foregoing description of the specific embodiments described herein is presented. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise form disclosed. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that, in view of the above teachings, many modifications and variations are feasible.

Claims

1. A device interconnection system, the device interconnection system comprising: a mounting pole capable of being connected to an electronic device; a support structure comprising an arm block, wherein the mounting bar is rotatable relative to the arm block about a rotation axis; Sleeve; a biasing member having a first end attached to the sleeve and having a second end attached to the arm block; as well as a center pin extending through the sleeve and the biasing member, wherein the center pin is rotatable relative to the arm block about the rotational axis; in: the sleeve being adjustable between a first configuration in which the sleeve is rotatable relative to the mounting rod about the rotation axis and a second configuration in which rotation of the sleeve about the rotation axis is fixed relative to the mounting rod and the center pin; as well as The biasing member is configured to provide a balancing moment in a first direction in response to the mounting bar being in a first position relative to the support structure and in a second direction in response to the mounting bar being in a second position relative to the support structure.

2. The device interconnect system of claim 1, wherein the sleeve is adjustable between the first configuration and the second configuration by adjusting a fastener.

3. The device interconnect system of claim 1, wherein the first end portion is non-slidable relative to the sleeve, and the second end portion is non-slidable relative to the arm block.

4. The device interconnect system of claim 1, wherein a block portion connected to the mounting rod is rotatable into contact with a stop surface of the arm block, the stop surface being configured to limit rotation of the block portion about the rotation axis.

5. The device interconnect system of claim 1, wherein the support structure comprises a first end block and a second end block.

6. The device interconnect system of claim 5, wherein the mounting bar is configured to fit laterally between the first end block and the second end block.

7. The device interconnect system of claim 5, wherein the center pin extends between the first end block and the second end block.

8. The device interconnect system of claim 7, wherein the center pin is rotatable relative to the first end block and the second end block.

9. The device interconnect system of claim 7, further comprising an adjustable clamping device configured to adjustably attach the sleeve and the center pin.

10. The device interconnect system of claim 1, further comprising a movable block mounted to the mounting bar, the movable block being rotatable about the rotation axis.

11. The device interconnect system of claim 1, wherein the arm block includes a stop surface configured to limit rotation of the mounting rod.

12. The device interconnect system of claim 1, wherein the biasing member comprises at least one elastically resilient biasing member.

13. The device interconnect system of claim 1, wherein the biasing member is coiled around the center pin and the rotational axis.

14. The device interconnect system of claim 1, wherein the first end comprises a first inner diameter and the second end comprises a second inner diameter, the first inner diameter being different than the second inner diameter.

15. The device interconnect system of claim 1, wherein the sleeve includes a fastener configured to adjustably tune a neutral position of the biasing member.

16. A tilt hinge comprising: a bracket, the bracket comprising a first end block and a second end block; a center pin extending between the first end block and the second end block; a rod connectable to an electronic device and rotatable about the center pin; a spring having a first end fixed relative to the rod and having a second end fixed relative to the bracket; wherein the spring is configured to provide a first balancing moment in a first direction when the electronic device is in a first position, and to provide a second balancing moment in a second direction when the electronic device is in a second position; as well as A clamping device is configured to adjust a neutral position of the spring.

17. The tilt hinge according to claim 16, wherein: When the center of mass of the electronic device is centered over the axis of rotation of the rod, the spring does not exert any torque on the electronic device.

18. A hinge, comprising: a bracket, the bracket comprising a first end block and a second end block; a center pin extending between the first end block and the second end block, the center pin being rotatable about an axis of rotation; a rod connectable to an electronic device and rotatable about the rotation axis relative to the first end block and the second end block; a biasing member having a first end attached to a first sleeve and a second end attached to a second sleeve, the first sleeve being rotatable about the rotational axis and the second sleeve being fixed relative to the first end block and the second end block; as well as a clamping device configured to attach the first sleeve to the center pin; wherein the first sleeve is adjustable between a first configuration wherein the first sleeve is rotatable relative to the rod about the rotation axis and a second configuration wherein rotation of the first sleeve about the rotation axis is fixed relative to the rod and the center pin.

19. The hinge according to claim 18, wherein: The rod includes a block portion rotatable into contact with a stop surface of the first end block, the stop surface being configured to limit rotation of the rod about the rotation axis.

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