Reconfigurable scaffold ecosystem

Abstract

The invention relates to a reconfigurable scaffold ecosystem. A support system and stand for an electronic device includes a tilt hinge, a lift arm, and component parts thereof. Some tilt hinges include an assembly for guiding and retaining a rod or projection into a preferred position within the receptacle opening to integrate the parts (particularly when the parts are moved) and reduce swing or tilt in the joint. The lift arm provides a simplified and cost-effective guide and balance mechanism for controlling movement of the electronic device relative to the base of the stand. In some cases, the lift arm has a sheath to help protect or cover the mechanism while allowing the mechanism within the lift arm to have additional space. Other interconnection systems conceal and protect a connector interface between the bracket within the housing and the electronic device until unlocking, and the connector moves to an exposed position. These systems improve the efficiency, comfort, ergonomics, accessibility, and user satisfaction of electronic devices and supports thereof.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of a Chinese patent application with application number 202210360907.3, application date April 7, 2022, and invention title "Reconfigurable Stand Ecosystem".

[0002] Cross - reference to related applications

[0003] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 172,413, filed on April 8, 2021, with the title "RECONFIGURABLE STAND ECOSYSTEM", the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. Technical Field

[0004] The embodiments described herein generally relate to stands, arms, and other supports for electronic devices. More specifically, the present embodiments relate to connection components for adjusting the tilt, height, and attachment status of a computing device and its support. Background Art

[0005] Computing device manufacturers have been 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, touchscreens, or "all - in - one" computers (i.e., computer monitors that also contain a processor and other computing components), the rear side of the device's housing may be covered with unsightly and scattered wires, hinges, markings, ports, labels, fasteners, and other components. Although device manufacturers can find ways to reduce or eliminate those undesirable features, the redesigned devices are often not versatile, such as being compatible with only one stand, and in many cases, cannot be removed from the stand at all.

[0006] In addition, users generally prefer the stands for their devices to have a high - quality, solid feel, whether the stand is adjustable, tiltable, liftable, movable, or replaceable. Due to reasons such as high part complexity, difficulty in manufacturing or transportation, and expensive custom parts and materials, the cost of providing these features is often high. Summary of the Invention

[0007] Aspects of the present disclosure relate to connectors and connector systems for electronic device mounts. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a connector includes: a first shaft capable of being attached to an electronic device, wherein the first shaft has a first set of guiding surfaces; a second shaft capable of being attached to a support rod, wherein the second shaft has a second set of guiding 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 guiding surfaces can be driven into the second set of guiding surfaces in response to rotation of the fastener in the opening, wherein contact between the first set of guiding surfaces and the second set of guiding surfaces fixes the first shaft to the second shaft with at least five degrees of freedom.

[0008] In some embodiments, the fastener includes a head portion, a shank portion, and a threaded portion, wherein the shank portion has an increased diameter portion relative to the threaded portion, wherein the threaded portion engages the first shaft, wherein the increased diameter portion engages the second shaft, wherein the guiding surfaces of the first set of guiding surfaces are angled non - orthogonally relative to each other, and wherein the guiding surfaces of the second set of guiding surfaces are angled non - orthogonally relative to each other and are positioned in an aperture in the second shaft.

[0009] In some embodiments, contact between the first set of guiding surfaces and the second set of guiding surfaces can fix the first shaft to the second shaft with six degrees of freedom. The opening can include a first surface positioned at a non - orthogonal angle relative to the rotational axis of the fastener, wherein movement of the fastener parallel to the rotational axis moves the first surface in a direction substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis.

[0010] In some embodiments, the first shaft and the second shaft can form a pivot joint having a pivot axis coaxial with the central longitudinal axis of the fastener. The fastener can include a fastener shoulder that contacts an opening shoulder in the opening and prevents movement of the first shaft relative to the second shaft.

[0011] 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 further includes a support device that includes an arm structure and a second connector capable of being 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 can further 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.

[0012] 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. Responsive 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 expand into contact with the second pair of tapered surfaces responsive to installing the fastener, or the second pair of tapered surfaces expand into contact with the first pair of tapered surfaces responsive to installing the fastener.

[0013] The fastener may further 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, rotation of the fastener about a rotation axis is configured to drive the first pair of tapered surfaces and the second pair of tapered surfaces into contact with each other. Rotation of the fastener about the rotation axis may drive the first connector or the second connector in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis. The fastener may further include a cam surface configured to move into contact with the first connector or the second connector when the fastener is installed.

[0014] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a support for an electronic device, wherein the support includes an arm structure; a device attachment structure that engages or is capable of being connected to the electronic device and has a threaded opening; a joint that includes a first structure anchored to the arm structure and a second structure anchored to the device attachment structure, wherein the first structure rotates relative to the second structure about a rotation axis; 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 maintaining the second structure in contact with at least two spaced-apart surfaces of the device attachment structure.

[0015] In some embodiments, a 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 opposite shoulder surfaces of the first structure. The joint may include an energy storage device having a central axis coaxial with the rotation axis of the joint. The fastener may include a central axis coaxial with the rotation axis of the joint. An outer surface of the second structure may be capable of moving between a contact position and a separation position relative to an inner surface of the first structure responsive to rotation of the device attachment structure about the rotation axis of the joint.

[0016] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a support bracket for an electronic device. The support bracket may include an arm assembly that includes: 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 further include a balancing mechanism that includes: 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 about the third attachment point and the fourth attachment point in a first rotational direction may store energy in the spring via movement of the rod relative to the retainer.

[0017] 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 further 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 a 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 rotation of the first arm about the third attachment point, the rod may rotate at an angular velocity different from that of 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 rotation of the first arm about the third attachment point.

[0018] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to an arm for a support bracket. The arm may include a housing having a hollow interior and an end opening aligned with the longitudinal axis of the housing, wherein the hollow interior has an inner surface; and a device connector assembly that includes: a sheath at least partially positioned within the hollow interior, covering the end opening, and having an end portion that contacts 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.

[0019] The sheath can be configured to apply a radially outwardly directed pressure against the inner surface. When the device connector rotates, an end portion of the sheath can slide along the inner surface parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing. The end portion can be concave. The end portion of the sheath can be configured to apply an outward pressure against the inner surface. The sheath can be elastically flexible. The housing can include a second end opening, and the arm can further include: a second sheath that 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 that extends through the second sheath and is rotatable relative to the housing between a first rotational position and a second rotational position.

[0020] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a lifting system that includes: a device attachment structure; a support structure; a housing that is pivotally connected to the device attachment structure at a first pivot point and connected to the support structure at a second pivot point; and a belt that engages the device attachment structure and the support structure, wherein the device attachment structure rotates relative to the housing in response to rotation of the housing relative to the support structure due to tension in the belt.

[0021] In some embodiments, an angled joint can be positioned on the device attachment structure. The housing can include at least one protrusion configured to apply an inwardly directed force to the belt. The belt can 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 belt can 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 belt can 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 belt can be prevented from sliding against the device attachment structure and the support structure.

[0022] 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 that includes 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 that includes a protrusion, wherein the protrusion includes a longitudinal axis and a locking surface that is non - orthogonally oriented relative to the longitudinal axis. With the latch in the first position, the protrusion can be insertable into the housing to a depth that exceeds a portion of the latch, and with the latch in the second position, the protrusion can be locked in place 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 movement of the latch from the first position to the second position through engagement between the latch and the locking surface.

[0023] In some embodiments, the protrusion further includes a tapered end portion, wherein the tapered end portion is drawn into a tapered opening of the electronic device in response to the latch moving from a first position to a second position. The latch is translatable within the housing between the first position and the second position. The adjustment mechanism can be rotatable to translate the latch within the housing. The latch is rotatable within the housing between the first position and the second position. The adjustment mechanism can include a lever accessible from the exterior 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 can further include an engagement surface oriented substantially parallel to the locking surface, wherein the engagement surface engages the locking surface when the latch is in the second position. The latch can further include an ejection surface oriented non-orthogonally to the longitudinal axis of the protrusion, wherein the protrusion is ejected from the opening through engagement between the ejection surface and the protrusion in response to movement of the latch from the second position toward or past the first position relative to the second position. In some embodiments, the protrusion includes an aperture extending through the protrusion substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, wherein the locking surface is positioned within the aperture.

[0024] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a connection assembly for engaging an electronic device to a support structure. The connection assembly can 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 can further 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 is pivotable to a position exposing the attachment interface through the opening of the housing.

[0025] In some embodiments, when the rod is in a position exposing the attachment interface through the opening of the housing, the shaft can be reversibly removed from the rod. The attachment interface can include a fastener that engages the shaft to the rod, wherein the fastener can be removed in response to the attachment interface being exposed through the opening of the housing. A gap can be formed between the opening of the housing and the shaft or the rod, wherein the locking member can move in response to a probe being inserted into the gap. The locking member can be configured to automatically lock the rod when the attachment interface is pivoted relative to the housing with respect to the opening. The first rotational axis of the rod and the second rotational axis of the lock can be parallel to each other.

[0026] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a device interconnect system that includes: a rod capable of connecting to an electronic device; a support structure that includes 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 a second end attached to the arm block. The sleeve may 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.

[0027] In some embodiments, the sleeve may be adjustable between the first and second configurations by adjusting a fastener. The first end may not be slidable relative to the sleeve, and the second end may not be slidable relative to the arm block. A portion may be connected to the rod and may be capable of rotating 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. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] The present disclosure will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like structural elements, and in which:

[0029] Figure 1A 、 Figure 1B and Figure 1C show side views of an electronic device and a support system in three different pivot configurations.

[0030] Figure 2 show a partial exploded side view of an interface between the electronic device and the support system.

[0031] Figure 3A show a partial perspective view of a rod connected to the electronic device.

[0032] Figure 3B show Figure 3A a partial side cross-sectional view of the rod installed in the electronic device.

[0033] Figure 4 show a partial top cross-sectional view of an interface between the electronic device and the support system.

[0034] Figure 5A show a partial top cross-sectional view of another interface between the electronic device and the support system.

[0035] Figure 5B show Figure 5A a partial side cross-sectional view of the interface.

[0036] Figure 5C show Figure 5A a partial top cross-sectional view of the interface in the second configuration.

[0037] Figure 5D Shows a partial side cross-sectional view of the interface of Figure 5C .

[0038] Figure 6A Shows a partial side view of another interface between the electronic device and the support system.

[0039] Figure 6B Is Figure 6A A partial side view of the interface in the second configuration of

[0040] Figure 7A Shows a schematic top view of attaching the electronic device to the rod of the support system.

[0041] Figure 7B Shows a schematic top view of attaching the electronic device to another rod of the support system.

[0042] Figure 8 Shows a partial exploded top cross-sectional view of the connection system between the electronic device and the support bracket.

[0043] Figure 9 Shows Figure 8 A partial top cross-sectional view of the connection system in the assembled state of

[0044] Figure 10 Shows Figure 8 A partial exploded top cross-sectional view of the tilt hinge portion of the connection system of

[0045] Figure 11 Shows a cross-sectional view taken along the Figure 9 Section line 11-11 in

[0046] Figure 12 Shows a cross-sectional view taken along the Figure 9 Section line 12-12 in

[0047] Figure 13A Shows a side cross-sectional view of the lifting arm connecting the electronic device to the support bracket.

[0048] Figure 13B Shows Figure 13A The system in the second configuration of

[0049] Figure 14A Shows a side view of another lifting arm connecting the electronic device to the support bracket, with some components omitted.

[0050] Figure 14B Shows Figure 14A A side cross-sectional view of the lifting arm of , showing additional components.

[0051] Figure 14C Shows Figure 14B the system in its second configuration.

[0052] Figure 15A A side cross-sectional view showing an electronic device connected to another lifting arm of a support bracket.

[0053] Figure 15B Shows Figure 15A the system in its second configuration.

[0054] Figure 16A A partial exploded top cross-sectional view showing the interconnection system between the electronic device and the support bracket.

[0055] Figure 16B Shows a partial side cross-sectional view of the system taken along the section line 16B-16B in Figure 16A Figure 16A

[0056] Figure 17A Shows Figure 16A a partial top cross-sectional view of the interconnection system in its assembled configuration.

[0057] Figure 17B Shows a partial side cross-sectional view of the system taken along the section line 17B-17B in Figure 17A Figure 17A

[0058] Figure 17C Shows a partial side cross-sectional view of the system taken along the section line 17C-17C in Figure 17A Figure 17A

[0059] Figure 18 Shows Figure 17A a partial side cross-sectional view of the interconnection system in a different assembled configuration.

[0060] Figure 19 Shows Figure 17A a partial side cross-sectional view of the interconnection system in another different assembled configuration.

[0061] Figure 20 Shows a partial side cross-sectional view of another interconnection system using a locking mechanism / latch operated by a lever.

[0062] Figure 21 Shows a partial side cross-sectional view of another interconnection system using a rotatable locking mechanism / latch.

[0063] Figure 22 A partial perspective view showing the end of a protrusion of the interconnection system of another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0064] Figure 23A Shows an Figure 22 interconnection system using projections along the Figure 23B section line 23A - 23A in

[0065] Figure 23B Shows Figure 22 and Figure 23A a partial front view of the interconnection system in the unlocked configuration in

[0066] Figure 24A Shows an Figure 22 interconnection system using projections along the Figure 24B section line 24A - 24A in

[0067] Figure 24B Shows Figure 22 and Figure 23A a partial front view of the interconnection system in the locked configuration in

[0068] Figure 25A Shows a partial side view of the connection system in the locked state between the support bracket and the electronic device.

[0069] Figure 25B Shows Figure 25A a partial top view of the connection system in the unlocked state in

[0070] Figure 25C Shows Figure 25A a partial side view of the connection system in the unlocked and user - accessible state in

[0071] Figure 26A Shows a partial perspective view of another interconnection system.

[0072] Figure 26B Shows Figure 26A a top view of the system in

[0073] Figure 27 Shows a partially disassembled top view of the tilt hinge assembly.

[0074] Figure 28 Shows Figure 27 an assembled top view of the tilt hinge assembly in

[0075] Figure 29 Shows Figure 27 a disassembled top view of the internal components of the tilt hinge assembly in

[0076] Figure 30 Shows Figure 28A side cross-sectional view of an inclined hinge assembly taken along plane P, and wherein the rod and pin rotate upward about the axis of rotation of the pin.

[0077] Figure 31 Is a schematic side view of an electronic device, a lifting arm, and a bracket.

[0078] Figure 32A Shows a perspective view of the end of the lifting arm at the inclined hinge, where the rod is in the first rotational position.

[0079] Figure 32B Shows Figure 32A A perspective view of the end of the lifting arm of , where the rod is in the second rotational position.

[0080] Figure 33 Shows Figure 32A An exploded perspective view of the balance assembly components of the inclined hinge of .

[0081] Figure 34 Shows along Figure 32A A perspective cross-sectional view of the inclined hinge taken along the section line 34-34 in . Detailed Description

[0082] When adjusting an electronic device vertically or horizontally with respect to a bracket, electronic device brackets with poor mass and ergonomics typically exhibit "tilt", "hysteresis", or "back-blow" in their hinges. The components, devices, and methods described herein can improve the constructability of electronic devices, provide reliable and high-quality adjustable support, and avoid incorporating unsightly elements, difficult-to-use mechanical structures, and poor ergonomics.

[0083] One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a connector for an electronic device bracket that reduces or eliminates such "back-blow" by firmly holding a rod (i.e., a tongue, projection, or shaft) extending from an electronic device (e.g., a computing device or display screen) within an opening in a shaft or receiving member unit of a support bracket. The connector can include elements for driving at least a pair of guiding surfaces of the rod onto corresponding guiding surfaces on the support bracket, such as by using a shaft or fastener inserted into an opening formed in at least one of the rod or the receiving member unit. Contact between the guiding surfaces can ensure that the rod and the opening are correctly aligned and in close contact with each other, thereby eliminating wobbling and displacement in the joint.

[0084] The joint may include a threaded fastener that, when tightened in place, pulls or pushes a guiding surface of the rod (e.g., a pair of inclined or curved surfaces at the end of the tongue) into a guiding surface of the support bracket (e.g., a pair of inclined or curved surfaces in an opening in the support bracket into which the rod is inserted). Engaging the guiding surfaces relative to each other may substantially reduce the degrees of freedom of the rod relative to the support bracket (e.g., limit the rod with five or more degrees of freedom), while also reducing the likelihood of the rod loosening due to poor fastener reliability. Thus, once engaged together, the rod and the support bracket axis (i.e., the portion of the joint having the opening) can effectively move as a single rigid member, thereby improving the user ergonomics, engagement reliability, and perceived quality of the device. The rod and the support bracket axis may be pivotally connected to a support rod (e.g., the base of the support bracket) such that the electronic device can pivot relative to the support rod and can also be removed from the support rod.

[0085] In some embodiments, the joint between the bracket and the rod may include features for improving the user-adjustability of the joint. For example, the rod of the joint may include a fastener that is user-accessible (e.g., accessible from the outside of the joint without prior additional disassembly) to adjust the positioning of the guiding surface within the joint or to move the rod relative to the guiding surface. The same fastener may be positioned on opposite sides of the joint to simplify assembly (e.g., by allowing the user to assemble the joint with either one of the two fasteners mounted on either side) and to reduce the number of unique parts, 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 shank portion, and a threaded portion, where the shank portion has an increased diameter portion relative to the diameter of the threaded portion. Thus, the shank portion may define an increased-diameter shoulder that is configured to engage a shoulder in an opening of a receiving member unit and, when engaging the threads in the rod, can be rotated to pull the guiding surface of the rod into contact with the guiding surface of the receiving member unit.

[0086] In some configurations, the rod of the electronic device may include multiple openings or multiple sets of openings that are configured to receive fasteners at different positions such that various different brackets or support adapters can be connected to the tongue. Thus, the tongue can be universal when engaged to various types of supports, such as angled brackets, combined angled and lift brackets, monitor support arms, and / or monitor mounting adapters (e.g., VESA brackets or other flat display mounting interfaces (FDMI)).

[0087] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to components of a support bracket, such as a lifting arm portion, that is configured to support an electronic device and provide balance to the electronic device during vertical translation relative to the ground. The lifting arm portion may include a four-bar linkage assembly configured to maintain parallel movement of a device attachment structure at one end of the arm relative to a support structure at its opposite end. The lifting arm may also include an energy storage device (e.g., a spring) that stores energy as the electronic device moves downward and releases energy as the device moves upward, thereby making it easier for a 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 within a retainer pivotally connected to the four-bar linkage, and an end of the spring device may be attached to or engage a rod that is pivotable relative to the four-bar linkage independently. The pivot connection points between the retainer and the rod may be appropriately spaced to ensure that, based on the energy storage characteristics of the spring device and the weight of the electronic device, rotation of the joints of the four-bar linkage stores a balanced amount of energy in the spring device via compression or extension of the spring device by rotation and relative movement of the rod and the retainer.

[0088] In some embodiments, linkages capable of parallel movement may be used in a lifting arm that does not include a set of four-bar linkages. For example, the lifting arm may include a housing to which a device support and a bracket support are pivotally connected. The housing may be used and function similarly to a pivotable linkage attached to the device and the support bracket. A belt, chain, or set of pivotable linkages may connect the device support and the bracket support to synchronize rotation of the electronic device and the bracket support as the housing rotates, thereby maintaining parallel movement in a manner similar to how another pivotable linkage extending between supports would operate in a four-bar linkage.

[0089] Aspects of the present disclosure also relate to ways of protecting the interior of the lifting arm from ingress while also improving aesthetics and restricting access to undesirable types of 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, where a sheath covers, hides, and protects components within an end opening of the housing, and where a device connector (e.g., a tongue) extends through the sheath to attach to the electronic device. The sheath may be configured with a C-shaped side profile having ends that extend generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing, and the C-shaped side profile may slide and bend as the device connector rotates relative to the housing to maintain coverage and hiding of components of the device connector assembly within the end opening of the housing. Due to the C-shaped profile of the sheath and the way it curls / uncurls as the device connector rotates relative to the housing, the interior of the housing remains more open and is thus able to accommodate the placement and movement of other internal elements, such as a balance spring device or similar structure.

[0090] 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 lever) that is operable to move the latching device within the housing. When the latching device is in the unlocked position, a protrusion of the bracket may be inserted through an opening in the housing and past a portion of the latching device. Then, by moving the latching device to the locked position while the protrusion remains inserted in the opening, the protrusion can be locked within the opening. Locking of the protrusion may be caused by engagement of the latching device against a locking surface of the protrusion that is oriented non - orthogonally relative to the longitudinal axis of the protrusion, and as the latching device is moved from the unlocked position to the locked position, the protrusion may be pulled into the opening and slide against the locking surface. Pulling the protrusion into the housing in this manner can eliminate wobbling and tilting between the bracket and the housing to ensure a firm and tight fit between their components.

[0091] Additionally, the protrusion may have a tapered end portion that is pulled into contact with a tapered opening within the housing when the protrusion is pulled into the electronic device. In this way, contact between the tapered surfaces can further limit relative movement between the devices and ensure proper alignment and orientation of the bracket and the electronic device relative to each other for optimal ergonomics, optimal part engagement, and improved engagement strength.

[0092] Furthermore, in some embodiments, a latching system is provided whereby a protrusion / shaft of a bracket device can be attached to a rod pivotally positioned within the housing. A locking member (e.g., a rotatable locking pin) can prevent the protrusion and the rod from moving relative to the housing while the locking member remains in a locking position against the rod or the protrusion. The locking member can be user - accessible to unlock the rod and the protrusion and allow the user to access the attachment interface between the rod and the protrusion by rotating the rod and the protrusion relative to the housing when the locking member is in the unlocked position (e.g., rotated out of contact with the rod or the protrusion). The locking member can be hidden within the housing to help keep the exterior of the device free of distracting or unsightly features, and the user can access the locking member by inserting a tool (e.g., a flexible card, a pry bar, or other thin probe) into a small opening or slot in the housing or into the space between the protrusion and an opening in the housing.

[0093] The features and improvements described in detail herein can be used and implemented in any combination of the various embodiments of the brackets and support devices disclosed and described herein. Thus, it should be understood that the embodiments described and depicted in the figures are merely exemplary embodiments that show features relatively in isolation and show a subset of the characteristics of the various different embodiments that can be combined with the other embodiments shown or described. Accordingly, the figures do not depict an exhaustive or mutually - exclusive set of individual embodiments of the progress and features of the present disclosure.

[0094] The following reference Figures 1A to 26B discusses these and other embodiments. However, those skilled in the art will readily understand that the detailed description given herein with respect to these figures is for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as limiting. Additionally, as used herein, a system, method, article of manufacture, component, feature, or sub-feature that includes at least one of a first option, a second option, or a third option should be understood to refer to a system, method, article of manufacture, component, feature, or sub-feature that may include one (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 simultaneously (e.g., one first option and one second option), or a combination thereof (e.g., two first options and one second option) of each of the listed options.

[0095] Reference will now be made specifically to representative embodiments shown in the figures. It should be understood that the following description is not intended to limit the embodiments to one preferred embodiment. Instead, it is intended to cover alternative forms, modifications, and equivalents that may be included within the spirit and scope of the described embodiments as defined by the appended claims.

[0096] Figures 1A to 1C A 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 bracket 104, which is supported by the ground 106. The system 100 may include a rod 108 that connects the electronic device 102 to a tilt joint 110. The tilt joint 110 may be positioned at an end of a lift arm 112 that has a height joint 114 that connects the lift arm 112 to a support base 116 via a bracket base connector 118. The lift arm 112 may be a lift arm that includes a mechanism for parallel motion (e.g., a four-bar linkage and a balance assembly), such as that 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 incorporated herein by reference.

[0097] The electronic device 102 is shown in Figure 1A a first position, where the lift arm 112 is substantially horizontal and parallel to the ground 106, and the electronic device 102 is tilted backward at an angle at the tilt joint 110. In Figure 1B , the electronic device 102 maintains the same angle relative to the ground 106, but the lift arm 112 has rotated downward at the height joint 114, thereby moving the electronic device 102 closer to the ground 106. In Figure 1C , the lift arm 112 remains at the same position as in Figure 1BThe same position, but the tilt joint 110 has been operated to pivot the electronic device 102 forward to a vertical orientation, and the plane of the front or back surface of the electronic device is oriented substantially perpendicular to the ground surface 106 and parallel to the vertical longitudinal axis of the 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 can be adjusted to a higher (or lower) position than shown, and can be rotated further around the tilt joint 110 than shown.

[0098] The electronic device 102 can include a display screen 119 (i.e., a monitor or touch screen) for a computing device. In some embodiments, the electronic device 102 can include an entire computing device, such as by including a tablet computer or a "monolithic" computer, which includes processing components, memory components, networking devices, and other computer components known in the art. The electronic device 102 can include a housing 120, enclosure, or casing configured to contain the display screen and other electronic components. Thus, the housing 120 can have an internal cavity in which other components are located. In some embodiments, the housing 120 can also contain a latch or other mechanism for connecting the housing 120 to the rod 108 extending from the tilt joint 110. The display screen 119 can have a front surface plane that is substantially parallel to the rear surface plane of the rear wall of the housing 120 (e.g., in the Figure 1C substantially vertical plane from which the rod 108 extends horizontally).

[0099] The bracket 104 can include two joints (e.g., 110, 114) as Figures 1A to 1C shown, and in some cases, the bracket 104 can 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 can directly engage the rod 108 to the support base 116 at the base connector 118. When more than two joints are included, additional joints can be positioned Figure 1A between the interfaces 110, 114 shown, 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 pivot joints.

[0100] The bracket 104 can be constructed as Figures 1A to 1CThe base portion or base and the vertical column or support post shown in the side view, where the base connector 118 extends horizontally from the support base 116. In some embodiments, the base connector 118 may extend vertically upward from the top end of the support base 116. The weight of the support base 116 may balance and support the weight of the electronic device 102 and the remainder of the bracket 104. In some embodiments, the support base 116 may be clamped or fastened to the ground 106 to provide stability against tipping. In some embodiments, the support base 116 may be attached to a wall or other non-horizontal surface. The support base 116 may extend at least partially beneath the lifting arm 112 (e.g., the base of the base 116), and in some cases, the support base is located beneath the electronic device 102.

[0101] The ground 106 may alternatively be vertical or oriented at a different angle. In some embodiments, the ground 106 is part of a table or other office facility. In some cases, the ground 106 may be located on a wall, column, counterweight, leg, device housing, or other structure to which the bracket 104 needs to be attached. Thus, the bracket 104 may be attached to the ground 106 in some cases, while in other cases, the bracket 104 may simply be placed on or rested on the ground 106 without being attached thereto.

[0102] Figure 2Shows an illustrative partial 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, the interface including a tilt joint 110. The rod 108 is attached to the electronic device 102 and extends at a substantially perpendicular angle to the rear surface 200 of the electronic device 102. The rod 108 may include a lateral opening 202 (i.e., a hole or orifice) near its end portion 204. The bracket 104 may include a receptacle 205 (i.e., a receptacle unit) having a receptacle opening 206 that is configured to receive the rod 108 to a sufficient depth such that the lateral opening 202 of the rod 108 is aligned with the lateral opening 208 of the receptacle 205. With the openings 202, 208 aligned, a fastener, rod, or shaft may be inserted into the openings 202, 208 to prevent the rod 108 from exiting the opening 206. In some embodiments, the rod 108 (or other rods discussed herein, e.g., rod 800) may extend from a mounting adapter that may be attached to an electronic device (e.g., 102 or 802), such as an embodiment 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. The rod 108 (and other rods mentioned herein) may be referred to as a first shaft or device attachment structure capable of being attached to an electronic device (e.g., 102), and the receptacle 205 and / or the tilt joint 110 (and other receptacles / tilt joints herein) may be referred to as a second shaft attachable to a support rod (e.g., the lift arm 112 or the base 116). The tilt joint may include a first structure anchored to the lift arm 112 (e.g., the arm barrel 842 anchored to the lift arm 812) and a second structure anchored to the device attachment structure (e.g., the receptacle barrel 840 anchored to the rod 800).

[0103] With the rod 108 positioned within the receptacle opening 206, the tilt joint 110 may be operated to rotate the receptacle 205 and the rod 108 relative to the lift arm 112, as described in further detail in connection with the embodiments described below. Rotation of the tilt joint 110 may change the tilt angle of the electronic device 102 relative to the ground or the base of the bracket 104. Thus, Figure 2 the interface shown in may be referred to as a tilt assembly or tilt engagement connection between the bracket 104 and the electronic device 102. In some embodiments, the positioning of the rod 108 and the receptacle 205 may be substantially reversed, where the electronic device 102 includes an opening into which the rod extends, as discussed in further detail, for example, below in connection with Figures 16A to 25C as further discussed in detail.

[0104] Figure 3A Shows a simplified side perspective view of an exemplary rod 300. The rod 300 may beFigures 1A to 2 Rod 108. In this embodiment, rod 300 is attached to and extends from the rear surface of an electronic device 302 (e.g., device 102). Rod 300 includes a generally rectangular side profile having square corners 304, 306. In some embodiments, rod 300 (or rod 108) may include rounded corners (e.g., as shown in Figure 11 ), curved or chamfered corners, or corners formed in a tapered shape (e.g., as shown in Figures 5A to 6B and Figure 16B ).

[0105] As rod 300 is inserted into a receiving opening (e.g., 206), a fastener or shaft 308 may be inserted into a lateral opening 310 in rod 300. Lateral opening 310 may be connected to a longitudinally oriented slot 312 in rod 300 that opens at an end between corners 304, 306, and shaft 308 may have a diameter that is greater than the vertical diameter of lateral opening 310. Thus, when shaft 308 is moved into opening 310, slot 312 may stretch, thereby driving corners 304, 306 apart from each other along a vertical axis 313 (which is in a direction that is generally perpendicular to the insertion direction 314 of shaft 308 / the longitudinal axis of shaft 308 or the longitudinal axis of opening 310), as shown in the side cross-sectional view of Figure 3B . The stretching caused by shaft 308 may cause corners 304, 306 and / or the top and bottom surfaces 316, 318 of rod 300 to contact the surface of the receiving opening 320 of the receiving member that faces the rod in the vicinity of the opening, thereby creating a friction fit between rod 300 and the opening that prevents rod 300 from exiting the opening when shaft 308 is located in lateral opening 310. The friction fit may hold rod 300 tightly against receiving opening 320 to prevent rod 300 from being removed from opening 320 without first removing shaft 308.

[0106] In addition, in some embodiments, receiving opening 320 may include a reverse tapered inner surface 322, as shown by the dashed lines in Figure 3B , where the stretching of rod 300 causes an interference fit between corners 304, 306 and / or the top and bottom surfaces 316, 318 and the reverse tapered surface 322. In other words, the receiving 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 generally equal to the thickness of rod 300 from top to bottom, as shown in Figure 3B . The stretching of rod 300 may help ensure that rod 300 is prevented from swaying or rocking within receiving opening 320. The interference between the stretched corners 304, 306 and surface 322 may provide an additional level of security for the attachment of rod 300. Removing shaft 308 may allow rod 300 to return to its normal thickness, thereby reducing or eliminating the friction and / or interference between rod 300 and opening 320.

[0107] As shown Figure 3A in FIG. 3, the rod 300 may have at least two end protrusions 324 spaced apart at the ends of the rod 300. Each end protrusion 324 may have its own lateral opening 310, and thus two separate shafts 308 may be used to expand the protrusion 324. Because the end protrusions 324 are spaced apart, the rod 300 may have improved flexibility in the protrusions 324 (and thus may 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 slit 312 instead of two protrusions 324, or extending through a portion of the rod 300 in a proximal direction (i.e., closer to the electronic device) relative to the open end of the slot 312. Additionally, in some cases, the rod 300 (e.g., Figure 8 the rod 800 in FIG. 8) may have separate openings 310 on each side of the rod 300, and the protrusions 324 may be omitted.

[0108] In addition to being inserted into the opening 310 of the rod 300, the shaft 308 may be inserted into a shaft or fastener opening in a receiving member (e.g., 208). In some embodiments, the shaft 308 and the openings (i.e., located in the receiving member and the rod) are threaded and have threads that engage each other to ensure a secure fit of the shaft 308 in the opening along the longitudinal axis 314 of the shaft 308. See, for example Figure 4 FIGS. 9 Figure 9 and 10. Thus, an operator may use a driving tool or wrench to install or remove the shaft 308 from the opening 310, and the longitudinal axial rotation of the shaft 308 may cause vertical extension / contraction of the rod 300 as the threads guide the shaft 308 into / out of the opening 310.

[0109] Another embodiment of the rod and receiving member support interface is shown in a top cross-sectional view Figure 4 in FIG. 11. In this view, the rod 400 has a protrusion 424 inserted into a receiving opening 420 in a receiving member 405, and a shaft 408 is installed through a lateral opening 412 in the receiving member 405 and extends at least partially into a 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 receiving member 405 and has an end portion 432 that extends into the lateral opening 410 of the protrusion 424.

[0110] The end portion 432 has a frustoconical tapered shape that narrows along the longitudinal axis 414 of the shaft 408 as the end portion 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 radially outer surface of the end portion 432. The inclined end portion 432 may be referred to as the drive surface of the shaft 408. Thus, the shaft 408 is advanced along its longitudinal axis 414 into the opening 412 such that the end portion 432 is advanced into the lateral opening 410 and slides against the inclined inner surface 434, thereby driving and moving the protrusion 424 in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 414 (e.g., along the perpendicular second axis 416). Thus, the mounting of the shaft 408 not only restricts or prevents the rod 400 from exiting the receiving member opening 420, but also pushes the rod 400 into the receiving member opening 420 in a tight and secure fit (e.g., until the end of the protrusion 424 contacts the inner surface of the receiving member opening 420). In some embodiments, the receiving member opening 420 may include a ramp or tapered surface (e.g., the opening bottom surface 433) that guides the protrusion 424 into a preferred alignment with the opening 420 (i.e., along an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 414 and the second axis 416). See also Figure 5B and Figure 5D . The opening 420 may also have a ramp 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 within the opening 420 as measured along the direction of the longitudinal axis 414. See also Figure 5B and Figure 5D .

[0111] The features and elements from the embodiments described herein may be combined with other features and elements described in connection with other embodiments. For example, the ramp surfaces (e.g., Figure 4 the end portion 432 and the inner surface 434) may be used in Figure 2 , Figure 3A and Figure 3B shown in the embodiments. Similarly, Figure 4 the embodiments of Figure 3A and Figure 3B may have an extendable rod end similar to

[0112] Figures 5A to 5D shows another embodiment of a connection assembly where the rod 500 is inserted into the receiving member opening 520. Figure 5A shows a top cross-sectional view of the shaft 508 and the rod 500 in a first position, Figure 5Bshows a cross-sectional view taken along Figure 5A section line 5B-5B in Figure 5C shows a top view of the assembly with the shaft 508 and the rod 500 in the second position, and Figure 5D shows a cross-sectional view taken along Figure 5C section line 5D-5D in

[0113] The rod 500 is configured to be inserted into the opening 520 to a sufficient depth such that the rod groove 510 is longitudinally aligned with the lateral opening 512 of the receptacle 505, and the shaft 508 can be inserted into the Figure 5A and Figure 5B position shown, where the shaft 508 has a first portion 530 positioned in the lateral opening 512 and an end portion 532 protruding into the rod groove 510. The end portion 532 includes a cam portion 535 having a cam projection 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 projection 534 is oriented such that it does not contact the rod groove 510, as Figures 5A to 5B shown, but when the shaft 508 rotates in the opening 512, the cam projection 534 rotates into contact with the groove 510, thereby driving the rod 500 in an inward direction (i.e., driving it into the receptacle opening 520 to the guide surface 550), thereby eliminating any loose horizontal fit between the parts 500, 505.

[0114] In addition, in some embodiments, the end portion of the rod 500 may have one or more tapered, inclined, or curved guide surfaces 540 that are driven into contact with corresponding tapered, inclined, or curved guide surfaces 550 in the receptacle opening 520. The angled nature of these guide surfaces 540, 550 helps to guide the rod 500 relative to the receptacle 505 to a desired position and eliminates any vertical loose fit between the parts 500, 505. Thus, if the end of the rod 500 is inserted or translated slightly angled or skewed, the engaging guide surfaces such as surfaces 540 and 550 can be referred to as "guide surfaces" because they can be used to guide the rod to the Figures 5C to 5D position shown. Additionally, the rod 500 may include a first connector axis, and the receptacle may include a second connector axis. When the fastener (e.g., 508) is installed and the guide surfaces 540, 550 are brought into face-to-face contact with each other (e.g., when two pairs of guide surfaces are in face-to-face contact with each other and the corresponding abutting surfaces are parallel to each other), those two axes can be aligned and can become coaxial (e.g., aligned with axis 513).

[0115] Once the misaligned rod 500 engages the guide surface 550 and is pushed inward / toward the end surface 555 between the guide surfaces 550, the rod 500 is pulled into proper orientation because the increasing engagement of the guide surfaces (i.e., the engagement of guide surface 540 with guide surface 550) gradually reduces the available space for the rod 500 to fit within the receiving member opening 520. This naturally causes the rod 500 to rotate or translate to Figures 5C to 5D the position within, as the rod slides against the guide surface 550 and further moves into the opening 520, achieving the desired fit and orientation of the rod 500 within the receiving member opening 520.

[0116] The cam projection 534 is a mechanism by which an inward force can be applied to 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 connection with Figure 4 discussed. Thus, the features and elements from the embodiments described herein can be combined with other features and elements described in connection with other embodiments.

[0117] Figure 6A and Figure 6B shows an exemplary side cross-sectional view of another connection assembly. In this case, the shaft 608 extends into a groove 610 in the rod 600, and the rod 600 has a notch 660 into which a rotatable tongue portion 654 of the shaft 608 can rotate. The rotatable tongue portion 654 can have a ramp surface 656 that is configured to engage the inner surface 665 of the notch 660 when the shaft 608 rotates. Thus, as Figure 6A shown, the shaft 608 can be capable of rotating between a first position and a second position, in the first position, the tongue portion 654 is positioned away from the notch 660 (or at least not in contact with the notch 660), and Figure 6B shows that the shaft 608 can be rotated into a second position in which the tongue portion 654 contacts the notch 660. The inner surface 656 and / or the inner surface 665 can be inclined, curved, or ramped in a manner that gradually drives the rod 600 inward (i.e., perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the shaft 508 / causes the guide surface 640 to contact the guide surface 650) as the shaft 608 rotates clockwise about its axis of rotation. Figure 6B Also shown is 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 translation of the rod 600 relative to the shaft 608 as the guide surfaces 640 / 650 move the rod 600.

[0118] Figures 7A to 7BA diagrammatic top view showing an additional connection assembly joining an electronic device 702 and a bracket 704 is presented. In some embodiments, the electronic device may be element 704, and the bracket may be element 702. The rod 700 extends away from the electronic device 702 and is positioned adjacent to the fixed post 705. The second translatable post 710, which is anchored to the bracket 704, can be used to apply a clamping force to the rod 700. Thus, in Figure 7A the embodiment of, the rod 700 is clamped by its laterally outward surface 706 such that it contacts and is frictionally held between the fixed post and the translatable post 705, 710. In Figure 7B the embodiment of, the rod 700 is clamped by its laterally inward-facing surface 708 such that it contacts the posts 705, 710 and is thereby frictionally held in place against those surfaces 708. These schematic diagrams show how the rod 700 can be held in place without fasteners or shafts by using friction rather than interference of parts, where the friction, which is applied to the side surfaces of the rod 700 rather than the top and bottom surfaces (e.g., as shown in the embodiment of Figures 3A to 3B ), is the primary force keeping the rod 700 fixed in place.

[0119] Figure 8 A top cross-sectional view of a connection assembly showing a rod 800 for connection to an electronic device 802 and an angled hinge 809 connected to a lift arm 812 is presented. In this embodiment, the rod 800 includes lateral 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 receiving opening 820 in the angled hinge 809, as shown in the position of Figure 9 . When inserted, the lateral openings 810 can be aligned with the lateral openings 813 of the angled hinge 809, as shown in Figure 8 . The lateral openings 810, 813 can have substantially equal diameters such that a shaft 808 can be mounted on each side of the angled hinge 809, with end portions 834 fitting within each opening 810, 813, as shown in Figure 9 . In this way, the contact between the end portions 834 and the openings 810, 813 can keep the rod 800 aligned with the receiving barrel 840 in the angled hinge 809. In some embodiments, the rod 800 can extend from a mounting adapter capable of being attached to an electronic device (e.g., 802), such as an embodiment of the mounting adapter disclosed in U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 563,252, titled "Display Support Arm Mount," filed on September 6, 2019, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

[0120] The receiving barrel 840 and at least one arm barrel 842 (see Figure 8 andFigure 10 ) can be rotated relative to each other about a rotational axis 848. See Figure 12 and its related description below. The lateral opening 813 and the receiving member opening 820 may be formed within the receiving member barrel 840. The receiving member barrel 840 may further include widened holes 844 configured to receive each shaft 808 (see Figure 8 and Figure 10 ), where the widened holes 844 form shoulders 846 having shoulder surfaces on each side where the holes 844 transition to the lateral opening 813. The head portions may be positioned at the ends of each shaft 808 and may be wider than the remainder of the shaft 808. A tool or wrench may be used to turn the head portions to tighten or loosen the shafts 808 in the openings 810. The head portions may include recesses, hexagons, or other manipulation surfaces configured to be engaged by a tool to rotate the shafts 808.

[0121] The shoulders 846 may have an end profile that is circular with respect to the center of the opening (i.e., the lateral opening 813). The arm barrel 842 may rotate about the rotational axis 848 that extends centrally through the receiving member barrel 840. Thus, the arm barrel 842 and the attached lifting arm 812 may pivot relative to the receiving member barrel 840 about the rotational axis 848. At the same time, the rod 800 is attached to the receiving member barrel 840 by the fastener shafts 808 and rotates synchronously with the receiving member barrel 840. In other words, the rod 800 may be a first connector having a first connector axis that extends longitudinally and centrally through the lateral opening 810, the receiving member barrel 840 may be a second connector having a second connector axis along the rotational axis 848, and the first connector axis and the second connector axis may be aligned with each other when installing at least one shaft 808. The rod 800 and the receiving member barrel 840 may be engaged in such a way as to move as a single unit, which may be referred to as a pivotable arm since it pivots about the rotational axis 848 relative to the arm barrel 842.

[0122] The rotation of the receiving member barrel 840 and the arm barrel 842 may be restricted or resisted due to an optional spring (e.g., a torsion spring) 850 and / or an optional set of friction discs 852 positioned around opposite ends of the receiving member barrel 840. See Figure 8 and Figure 10. The spring 850 may have a first end attached (e.g., friction fit, welded, or fastened) to the receiving 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 receiving 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 components 850, 840, 842 may cause the potential energy of the spring 850 to increase or decrease as there is relative rotation about the axis of rotation 848 between the barrels 840, 842. Thus, the spring 850 can be used to bias the rotation of the barrels 840, 842 toward a desired "original" or "default" position where the potential energy of the spring 850 is lowest. In some embodiments, this position is a horizontal position, as Figure 1C shown.

[0123] The spring 850 can be configured to assist a user in adjusting the tilt of the electronic device 802 by applying a torque to the barrels 840, 842 when the bottom of the device tilts forward (i.e., the electronic device 102 moves from the Figure 1B position to the Figure 1C position shown), which helps the device rotate in that direction at the tilt hinge 809. When the electronic device 802 rotates in the opposite direction (e.g., the direction shown by the movement of the electronic device from the Figure 1C position to the Figure 1B position), the spring 850 can also resist the rotation of the electronic device by storing potential energy and applying a resisting torque to the tilt hinge 809. In this way, the spring 850 can improve the ergonomics of the bracket (e.g., 104) by making it require substantially similar (e.g., equal) torques for the electronic device to pivot at the tilt hinge 809 regardless of whether it tilts in the forward or backward direction (i.e., clockwise or counterclockwise when viewed from its lateral side). The resistance and assistance of the spring 850 can be particularly beneficial in embodiments where the center of gravity of the electronic device 102 is vertically positioned above the tilt hinge 809 (e.g., at the vertical level of the joint 114 in Figure 1C ), such that the electronic device 102 does not over-rotate due to the center of gravity crossing the tilt hinge 809.

[0124] The friction disk 852 can be used to apply frictional resistance to the relative movement of the cylinders 840, 842. By making the rotation of the cylinders 840, 842 require greater torque in both directions (i.e., forward tilt and backward tilt), the resistance can improve ergonomics. The increased torque can help limit unintentional tilting movement of the electronic device (e.g., when the device is struck or the bracket is shaken and the rotational position of the device may drift). The friction disk 852 can have adjustable compression or tension such 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 such that the user only needs to provide a single predetermined, substantially equal torque in order to tilt the device in either direction.

[0125] As described above, if the rod is not properly constrained, the rod can swing or have a loose fit with the receiving member 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 in at least five (and possibly six) degrees of freedom. To this end, the receiving member opening 820 can include a pair of curved protrusions 1100, as Figure 11 shown (and also partially seen in Figure 8 and Figure 10 ), the pair of curved protrusions being configured to engage the curved end surfaces 1102 of the end portion 1104 of the rod 800. In other words, the receiving member opening 820 can include two guiding surfaces (located on the protrusions 1100), the two guiding surfaces being configured to engage two guiding surfaces of the rod 800 (i.e., opposite sides of 1102). In some embodiments, the guiding surfaces can be formed as part of the inner wall of the opening 820 rather than part of the protrusions 1100.

[0126] To ensure a tight fit between the pair of guiding surfaces, a shaft 808-a can be mounted with its threaded end portion 834, the threaded end portion being 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 receiving member cylinder 840, as Figure 9 shown. The shaft 808 can include its own widened portion 836 (i.e., a handle) to form its own shoulder 837, as Figure 9 and Figure 10 shown. Thus, when the threads at portion 834 are tightened, the shoulders 837, 846 are pulled and held in contact with each other. At the same time, the end portion 1104 of the rod 800 is pulled between the curved protrusions 1100 and is in tight contact with the curved protrusions through the threads. The rod 800 is thereby fixed to the receiving member cylinder 840 and is restricted from moving relative to the receiving member cylinder 840, such as Figure 9 and Figure 11Translation along the x-axis, y-axis, or z-axis. Contact at the curved protrusion 1100 also prevents the rod 800 from rotating relative to the barrel 840 about at least the x-axis and z-axis. The appropriate tight fit and dimensions of the diameter of the shaft end portion 834 and the lateral opening 813 of the receiving barrel 840 also prevent the rod 800 from rotating relative to the barrel 840 about the y-axis. The outer curved surface of the end portion 1104 can be referred to as the guiding surface of the rod 800, and the curved protrusion 1100 can be referred to as the guiding surface of the receiving barrel 840. The outer curved surface of the end portion 1104 is a curved conical surface that gradually transitions the width of the end portion 1104 from a maximum thickness to a narrower thickness that engages the corresponding conical shape of the curved protrusion 1100.

[0127] In some embodiments, the tilt hinge 809 can include guiding surfaces that are non-orthogonally angled or conical (similar to a "V" shape), against which the curved (or alternatively, similarly non-orthogonal, conical, "V" shaped) surface of the rod 800 can contact. Additionally, although the protrusion 1100 has a convex surface that contacts the rod 800, in some embodiments, a protrusion 1100 having a flat conical surface or a concave surface can be used to receive the rod 800. Movement of the rod 800 within the opening 820 (e.g., along the Figure 11 positive x-axis therein) can cause the guiding surfaces to abut and slide against each other until the guiding surfaces reach a position where mechanical interference caused by the contact between the guiding surfaces prevents any further movement of the rod 800 relative to the opening 820. The engagement of the guiding surfaces on the elements 1100 and 1102 causes clamping of the rod 800 similar to the Figure 7A and Figure 7B illustrated schematic clamping and the Figure 5D and Figure 6B guiding surface contact.

[0128] In some embodiments, the lateral opening 810 for receiving the shaft 808-a is configured to have a length or positioning that allows the shaft 808-a to be tightened within the opening 810 without being tightened at the innermost end 858 of the opening 810, as shown by the gap 860 in Figure 9 The gap 860 can ensure that the end portion 834 is not prevented from being tightened sufficiently to cause abutment between the shoulders 837, 846 and the guiding 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 dimensioned and manufactured. Otherwise, due to interference contact with the innermost end 858, the shaft 808-a may be too long relative to the opening 810 to tighten the abutting surfaces. Thus, the gap 860 reduces manufacturing costs and simplifies the appropriate hinge assembly.

[0129] Opposite sides of the tilt hinge 809 may include similar shafts 808-b that are mounted into opposing side openings 810 of the rod 800 such that the shafts drop to a lowest point and contact an inner end wall of the openings 810. This shaft 808-b can effectively act as a cantilever or pin extending from the rod 800 without restricting movement of the rod 800 relative to the receiving member opening 820. However, the two shafts 808 may have the same dimensions for interchangeability and are thus easier for the user to install and adjust. In other words, the user does not need to keep track of which fastener fits into each side of the tilt hinge 809. The manufacturer also only needs to make two as one part rather than two unique parts, thus saving production costs due to economies of scale. To have a clearance 860 in one opening 810 and no clearance 860 in the other, the openings 810 may have different depths, or the receiving member barrel 840 may have different thicknesses between shoulders (e.g., 837) in the receiving member opening 820 and holes (e.g., 844) on each side.

[0130] Figure 12 A side cross-sectional view of the tilt hinge 809 taken along Figure 9 the section line 12-12 shown in FIG. As shown, the rod 800 and the receiving member barrel 840 may be configured to rotate relative to the arm barrel 842. The arm barrel 842 may include an internal opening 1200 within which the rod 800 and the receiving member barrel 840 rotate about a rotational axis 848. The rod 800 is shown in phantom in an upward rotational position 1202. The opening 1200 may have rear surfaces 1204, 1206 against which the top and bottom surfaces of the rod 800 may move into contact to define limits to the rotation of the rod 800 relative to the arm barrel 842. Front surfaces 1208, 1210 may be arranged such that even when the rod 800 is in its extreme tilted position about the rotational axis 848, the rod 800 never contacts the front surfaces (i.e., there is a clearance or void between the front surfaces 1208, 1210). Thus, when the top of the rod 800 engages the rear top surface 1206 and thus cannot rotate further, the rod 800 may be spaced apart from or not in 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 contact the front top surface 1210. When entering from the front side, this configuration may reduce the chance that the rod 800 will clamp and compress an object positioned between the rod 800 and the opening 1200. Figure 12 An alternative configuration of the arm barrel 842 is also shown, in which a rear wall 1212 is included on the arm barrel 842. The rear wall 1212 may prevent objects from intruding into the opening 1200 from the rear side of the hinge 809.

[0131] Figures 13A to 13BA diagrammatic side view of a support system 1300 for an electronic device is shown. The support system 1300 may be implemented as part of the support system 100, such as for the lift arm 112 and associated joints 110, 114, and connecting devices 108 and 118. The support system 1300 may include an arm assembly 1302 that extends between the electronic device 1304 and the bracket 1306 (or other ground / support surface) and engages the electronic device to the bracket. 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 bracket 1306.

[0132] The arm assembly 1302 includes a device attachment structure 1308 fixed to the electronic device 1304 and capable of pivoting at an incline hinge 1309 relative to an incline connector 1310. In some embodiments, the incline hinge 1309 has its pivot axis coaxial with the center point between attachment points 1318, 1322 on the incline connector 1310. The incline hinge may include configurations described Figures 2 to 12 and is only schematically shown in Figure 13A this figure and figures other than this one. In some embodiments, the device attachment structure 1308 and the incline connector 1310 may be formed as a single device attachment structure 1308 (without the incline hinge 1309) or may be collectively referred to as the device attachment structure.

[0133] A 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 an integral part of the bracket. The support structure 1312 may also include an incline hinge (e.g., similar to those described Figures 2 to 12 in ) to provide additional articulation and range of motion to the system 1300, in which case the support structure 1312 may be capable of pivoting relative to a bracket base connector (e.g., 118).

[0134] A first arm 1314 and a second arm 1316 are coupled to the incline connector 1310 and are coupled to the support structure 1312. The incline 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 pivotally connected to the incline connector 1310 and the support structure 1312 at the attachment points as shown Figures 13A to 13B in. The lengths of the arms 1314, 1316 are equal, and the distances between the first attachment point / second attachment point and the third attachment point / fourth attachment point are equal, so the attachment points form the corners of a pivoting profile of a parallelogram. This configuration of pivot points and connecting parts is referred to as a "four-bar" linkage or mechanism.

[0135] AsFigure 13A As shown, the arm assembly 1302 can have a first (e.g., horizontal) position in which the tilt connector 1310 and the support structure 1312 are parallel and perpendicular to each other, thereby forming a rectangle with attachment points. Figure 13B It is shown that the arm assembly 1302 can be moved to a position where the electronic device 1304 is lowered, but the tilt connector 1310 and the support structure 1312 remain parallel and perpendicular to each other. Thus, the 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 up or down (along an arcuate path) (there is also a small horizontal translation) when adjusting the arm assembly 1302.

[0136] The housing 1301 has two end openings 1326, 1328, and the device attachment structure 1308 (and / or the tilt connector 1310) and the support structure 1312 extend through these two end openings respectively. To prevent objects and debris from entering the housing 1301, the sheaths 1330, 1332 can be mounted around the four-bar mechanism at each end of the housing 1301. The sheaths 1330, 1332 can have a substantially circular or partially circular shape, which has sufficient dimensions to completely cover the inner perimeters of the openings 1326, 1328 at any rotational position of the arm assembly 1302 and / or the tilt hinge 1309. To do this, the front sheath 1330 at the tilt hinge 1309 is configured to cover a larger angular range (e.g., by having a circular 360-degree side profile), because the entire combined range of movement of the arm assembly 1302 and the tilt hinge 1309 can cause the circumference of the sheath 1330 to be exposed by more than 180 degrees. Since only the opening 1328 needs to be covered during the rotation of the four-bar mechanism at the support structure 1312, the rear sheath 1332 can have a generally C-shaped or 180-degree coverage / semicircular side profile. Figures 13A to 13B It is shown how the sheaths 1330, 1332 have portions that radially overlap the housing 1301 (relative to the center point between the attachment points 1318, 1320, 1322, 1324) at multiple rotational angles of the arm assembly 1302.

[0137] The balance mechanism can be used in combination with the four-bar mechanism to help prevent the weight of the electronic device 1304 from causing downward sag relative to the bracket 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 balance mechanism can include at least one spring 1334 located within a retainer 1336 at a position between the first arm 1314 and the second arm 1316 and between the angled connector 1310 and the support structure 1312. In some embodiments, a retainer rod 1338 can extend between the arms 1314, 1316, where pivot points are attached to the arms 1314, 1316 along a line parallel to the ends of the four-bar mechanism, as Figures 13A to 13B shown. The retainer 1336 can then be pivotally connected to the retainer rod 1338, with the spring 1334 located inside the retainer rod. In some configurations, the retainer 1336 does not constrain the sides of the spring 1334 and only constrains one end of the spring 1334 with a spring retaining portion 1340.

[0138] The retainer 1336 can have a spring retaining portion 1340 (e.g., a protrusion, ridge, or projection) configured to engage and contact the end of the spring 1334. Thus, the spring retaining portion 1340 can prevent the spring 1334 from separating from the retainer 1336 (e.g., pulling out or falling out). In some embodiments, the spring retaining portion 1340 can 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 can include a fastener, weld, or other attachment feature that joins 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.

[0139] The balance mechanism can further include a rod 1342 pivotally connected to the first arm 1314 or the second arm 1316 at a rod pivot point 1344. Opposite ends of the rod 1342 can extend through or around the spring 1334 and can be coupled to the end of the spring 1334 located on the spring 1334 opposite the rod pivot point 1344. As Figures 13A to 13B shown, the rod 1342 can have an outrigger end that forms a platform against which the end of the spring 1334 can abut and contact. In some embodiments, the end of the rod 1342 can be attached or affixed to the end of the 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 the spring 1334.

[0140] As the four-bar linkage rotates, the rod 1342 of the counterbalancing 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 linkage and does not have its spring-coupled end coupled to the other arm (i.e., 1316). Thus, the rod 1342 does not rotate at the same angular velocity as the arm (i.e., 1314) to which it is connected. 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 Figures 13A to 13B the relative angles A1 and A2 of the rod and the arm in

[0141] The decrease in the angle A (e.g., from A1 to A2) causes the rod 1342 to compress the spring 1334 within the retainer 1336. This is due to the coupling of the end of the rod 1342 to the spring 1334, which applies a compressive force to the spring 1334 (directed along the length of the rod 1342 towards the rod pivot point 1344), and due to the coupling of the spring retainer portion 1340 to the spring 1334, which prevents the spring 1334 from being pulled out of the retainer 1336 (i.e., provides a force resisting the compressive force of the rod 1342). If the angle A increases (e.g., from A2 to A1), the spring 1334 releases energy when the spring bears against the spring retainer portion 1340 and the end of the rod 1342. Thus, when the electronic device 1304 moves downward, the spring 1334 can store potential energy, and when the device 1304 moves upward, the spring can release potential energy, thereby assisting the user in raising the device and slowing the device's descent when the device moves downward. Friction disks can be added to the attachment points 1318, 1320, 1322, 1324 to increase the additional frictional resistance to the movement of the four-bar linkage, such that the arm assembly 1302 has a firm and predictable feel.

[0142] Thus, the positioning of the rod pivot point 1344 and the retainer rod 1338 relative to each other and relative 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 such that a predetermined amount of potential energy is 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 remainder of the arm assembly 1302 such that the energy storage in the spring 1334 closely follows the 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 having a linear spring constant, springs having a non-linear spring constant, and combinations thereof.

[0143] Figures 14A to 14CA side view of another embodiment of the lifting system 1400 is shown, where the arm assembly 1402 can be connected to the electronic device 1304 and the bracket 1306. Figure 14A A side view of the device attachment structure 1404, the support structure 1406, and the arm-housing 1408 is shown. The arm-housing is 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 an angled joint 1411 offset from the pivot joint 1410 of the arm-housing 1408, or may have an angled joint at the pivot joint 1410, which allows the electronic device 1304 to pivot relative to the remainder of the device attachment structure 1404.

[0144] The arm-housing 1408 can act similarly to the arm 1314 or the arm 1316 by providing a rigid link between the pivot joints 1410, 1412. The arm-housing 1408 can also be configured to enclose and cover at least one side of the device attachment structure 1404 and the support structure 1406. In Figure 14A it, the arm-housing 1408 covers its rear side. The arm-housing 1408 can also extend above and around the device attachment structure 1404 and the support structure 1406, and thus can serve a purpose similar to that of 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 can be formed in the arm-housing 1408 to allow the device attachment structure 1404 and the support structure 1406 to project from the housing.

[0145] As Figure 14B shown, the system 1400 can also include a band 1418 that extends between the device attachment structure 1404 and the support structure 1406 and wraps around the device attachment structure and the support structure. The band 1418 can include a series of engagement features (e.g., teeth or ridges) that extend radially inwardly relative to the pivot joints 1410, 1412 and the axis linking the pivot joints 1410, 1412. The engagement features can be configured to engage grooves, gear teeth, or recesses that extend around the outer 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 can prevent the band 1418 from slipping and keep the band 1418 from sliding while contacting the corresponding engagement features on the outer surfaces of the device attachment structure 1404 and the support structure 1406.

[0146] The band 1418 is configured to link the rotation of the device attachment structure 1404 and the support structure 1406 when rotating around the pivot joints 1410, 1412, respectively. Thus, as Figure 14B and Figure 14CAs shown, the device attachment structure 1404 and the support structure 1406 rotate at the same rate as the arm - housing 1408, thus ensuring that the electronic device 1304 and the bracket 1306 maintain their angular positions relative to each other, similar to the operation of a four - bar mechanism. For example, these figures show that when the system 1400 rotates about the pivot joint 1412, the device 1304 remains vertical and parallel to the vertical surface of the bracket 1306. The belt 1418 contributes to this behavior by acting under tension between the device attachment structure 1404 and the support structure 1406.

[0147] When the device attachment structure 1404 or the support structure 1406 rotates, the other structure also rotates due to the action of the belt 1418 (e.g., by pulling). When the system 1400 moves the electronic device 1304 downward, the tension in the top portion of the belt 1418 - a rotates the device attachment structure 1404 clockwise (i.e., about the joint 1410 in the direction 1420). The tension in the bottom portion 1418 - b can also rotate the device attachment structure 1404 clockwise. When the system 1400 moves the device upward, the tension in the bottom section of the belt 1418 - b rotates the device attachment structure 1404 counterclockwise about the joint 1410. The tension in the top portion 1418 - a can also assist. Thus, the belt 1418 can flexibly provide a non - sliding link between the device attachment structure 1404 and the support structure 1406, where the belt 1418 applies tension between the top side of the device attachment structure 1404 and the support structure 1406 and / or its bottom side according to the moving direction of the lifting system 1400.

[0148] In addition, the point where tension is applied between the belts 1418 can change as the lifting system 1400 is operated. At Figure 14B 's position, the belt 1418 is under tension between point B1 and point B2 on the belt, but at Figure 14C 's position, the rotation of the device attachment structure 1404 and the support structure 1406 (and their non - sliding links to the belt 1418) causes the tension to be between point B3 and point B4, which are respectively located on the belt 1418 (and are positioned counterclockwise around the circumferences of the structures 1404, 1406) and are closer to the electronic device 1304 than point B1 and point B2. Thus, the operation of the lifting system 1400 can include a set of moving tension points on the belt 1418. The moving tension points (e.g., points B1 to B4) can move in one direction along the length of the belt 1418, as Figure 14B and Figure 14C shown, where points B1 to B4 move along the top portion 1418 - a of the belt towards 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 moving from Figure 14C 's position to Figure 14BWhen in the position shown), the tension limit can move in the opposite direction. If the electronic device 1304 is relative to Figure 14B moved to the raised position, a similar movement of the tension limit will continue (i.e., the top of the device attachment structure 1404 and the support structure 1406 will be further away from the electronic device 1304).

[0149] The belt 1418 can include a strip that includes rubber, fabric, rope, cord, fiber, composite material, or a similar flexible material, and the strip is configured to reshape itself to the surfaces of the device attachment structure 1404 and the support structure 1406 when it winds and unwinds around its outer circumference. In some embodiments, the belt 1418 can 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.

[0150] In some embodiments, the arm - housing 1408 can also include a tension protrusion, pin, or roller (not shown) that is configured to keep the belt 1418 in tension and reduce blowback and slack between the belt 1418 and the device attachment structure 1404 and the support structure 1406. For example, the protrusion or roller can apply an inward force 1422, as Figure 14C shown.

[0151] In addition, as Figure 14B and Figure 14C shown, the lifting system 1400 can include a balancing mechanism 1424. The balancing mechanism 1424 can include a retainer, a spring, and a rod as described above in connection with Figures 13A to 13B and can thereby store and release potential energy corresponding to a loss or gain in the potential energy of the electronic device 1304 and the lifting system 1400. The balancing mechanism 1424 can have connections 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 ( Figures 14A to 14C not shown in).

[0152] The pivot point 1426 is shown as being located at the opposite end of the retainer compared to the opening through which the rod of the balancing mechanism 1424 passes. In some embodiments, the pivot point 1426 can be located at the opening in the retainer or along the length between the ends of the retainer, such as the pivot point Figures 13A to 13B shown. In addition, in some embodiments, the spring can be an extension spring, where 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. Then, the rotation of the link arm can rotate the rod in a manner that extends the spring, depending on the position of the rod pivot point and the pivot point 1426 of the retainer, as understood by those skilled in the art and the hindsight benefits of this disclosure.

[0153] Figure 15A and Figure 15B Another implementation of the lifting system 1500 is provided. This implementation includes a structure similar to the Figures 13A to 13B system operation. However, the system 1500 includes flexible sheaths 1530, 1532 instead of having rigid sheaths 1330, 1332. The flexible sheaths cover the end openings 1526, 1528 of the housing 1501 and hide the internal parts. The flexible sheaths 1530, 1532 may each include a raised portion 1534 positioned between two recessed portions 1536, 1538. Alternatively, the raised portion 1534 may be referred to as a central portion, and the recessed portions 1536, 1538 may be referred to as end portions. The device attachment structure 1540 extends through the center of the front flexible sheath 1530, and the support structure 1542 extends through the center of the rear flexible sheath 1532. In some implementations, the sheaths 1530, 1532 may be integrally formed with or attached to the device attachment structure 1540 and the support structure 1542, respectively.

[0154] In a first position, where the housing 1501 is horizontal and extends perpendicular to the electronic device 1304 and the bracket 1306, as Figure 15A shown, the raised portion 1534 and the recessed portions 1536, 1538 are vertically symmetric (i.e., mirror images in shape with respect to a horizontal axis), and the recessed portions 1536, 1538 extend to equal depths into the internal 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 a second position, where the housing 1501 is rotated and angled relative to the electronic device 1304 and the bracket 1306, as Figure 15B shown, the front and rear flexible sheaths 1530, 1532 deform to accommodate the movement of the housing 1501. Specifically, the flexible sheath 1530 slides its upper recessed portion 1536 to move deeper into the housing 1501 relative to the opening 1526, and its lower recessed portion 1538 slides relative to the housing 1501 to a position closer to the opening 1526. As Figure 15B shown, the rear flexible sheath 1532 is opposite. Thus, when the housing 1501 (and the support mechanism within the housing 1501) rotates and moves, the flexible sheaths 1530, 1532 can deform to accommodate the movement. The lengths of the front and rear flexible sheaths 1530, 1532 can be designed to ensure that the end tips at the ends of the recessed portions 1536, 1538 slide along the inner surface parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing 1501 and do 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 positions relative to the housing 1501.

[0155] In some cases, the flexible sheaths 1530, 1532 may slide along the inner surface of the housing 1501 to blow debris or other objects out of the space between the housing 1501 and the sheaths 1530, 1532 and prevent materials 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.

[0156] In some embodiments, the flexible sheaths 1530, 1532 exert an outward pressure on the housing 1501, as shown by arrow D, which is oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis extending across the housing 1501. Thus, when the flexible sheaths 1530, 1532 slide along the inner surface of the housing 1501 due to the rotation of the housing 1501, the flexible sheaths may remain in contact with the inner surface of the housing 1501. The contact with the inner surface may help maintain a seal and a barrier to prevent debris or objects from entering the housing 1501 between the housing 1501 and the flexible sheaths 1530, 1532.

[0157] The flexible sheaths 1530, 1532 may each comprise a single piece of flexible material, such as a metal sheet, plastic, composite material, rubber, or similar material configured to elastically bend and unfold. In some embodiments, the sheaths 1530, 1532 may comprise a set of segments that are bendably linked or hinge-linked, and the set of segments may bend or fold to accommodate movement of the housing 1501 relative to the device attachment structure 1540 and the support structure 1542. Thus, some configurations may be referred to as having a "garage door" arrangement with rigid and hinged parts. In some embodiments, the ends of the sheaths 1530, 1532 may be guided by rails, tracks, or other support surfaces to ensure that the ends of the sheaths do not undesirably drop or slide into interference or contact with the arm assembly or balance mechanism within the housing 1501.

[0158] Using the flexible sheaths 1530, 1532 may advantageously leave the interior of the housing 1501 substantially open, allowing the arm support assembly and balance mechanism to use the space. Equipment manufacturers may use larger and longer parts within the housing 1501, or may reduce the length of the arms, as these parts do not require a sheath (e.g., 1330) that extends radially inward relative to the longitudinal axis of the housing (e.g., 1301). This may save costs, simplify manufacturing and assembly, and reduce weight.

[0159] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to systems and methods for connecting a support bracket to an electronic device, where the support bracket includes a protrusion or rod configured to engage a receptacle or locking mechanism of the electronic device. Figures 16A to 19Shows various views of an embodiment of the system, where the protrusion 1600 of the support bracket 1602 can be firmly connected to the 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 inside the opening 1608 (i.e., within a cavity 1612 formed within the device 1602). Figure 16A Shows a top view of the interface between the protrusion 1600 and the electronic device 1604, where the protrusion 1600 and the bracket 1602 are positioned spaced apart from the opening 1608 (i.e., in an unconnected position). Figure 16B Shows a side cross-sectional view taken along Figure 16A the section line 16B - 16B in Figure 17A Shows a top view of the protrusion 1600 in a second position relative to the housing 1606, where the protrusion 1600 is inserted into the opening 1608 but not locked in place by the locking mechanism 1610. Figure 17B Shows a side cross-sectional view taken along Figure 17A the section line 17B - 17B in Figure 17C Shows a side cross-sectional view taken along Figure 17A the section line 17C - 17C of the interface in Figure 18 Shows a side cross-sectional view at a position similar to Figure 17B but where the locking mechanism 1610 locks the protrusion 1600 into position within the housing 1606. Figure 19 Shows a similar side cross-sectional view where the locking mechanism 1610 is in a position configured to eject the protrusion 1600 from the housing 1606.

[0160] The protrusion 1600 may include a narrow portion 1614 and a wide portion 1616, as shown in Figure 16A and Figure 16B . These portions 1614, 1616 may form a shoulder surface 1618 at their convergence that faces generally outward relative to the electronic device 1604. The locking mechanism 1610 may include a channel 1620 through which at least the wide portion 1616 of the protrusion 1600 is inserted as the protrusion moves from an external position relative to the locking mechanism 1610 ( Figure 16A and Figure 16B ) to an inserted internal position ( Figure 17A and Figure 17B ). The protrusion 1600 may be inserted into the locking mechanism 1610 to a sufficient depth such that the shoulder surface 1618 is fully positioned through the channel 1620.

[0161] When the protrusion 1600 is in Figure 17BIn the case of the position shown, the actuatable locking mechanism 1610 (e.g., by the adjustment mechanism / screw 1622) can be operated to translate downward and move the channel 1620 to a position where the protrusion no longer retracts from the channel 1620 or the opening 1608 due to mechanical interference contact between the shoulder surface 1618 and the forward surface 1624, as Figure 18 shown. The locking mechanism 1610 can be moved downward in this way because the rotation of the adjustment mechanism 1622 drives the threads on the locking mechanism 1610 to translate the locking mechanism 1610 along the axis of rotation of the adjustment mechanism 1622. The locking mechanism 1610 moves from a position vertically offset from the wide portion 1616 of the protrusion 1600 (as Figure 16B and Figure 17B shown) to a position that blocks the wide portion 1616 (as Figure 18 shown). The adjustment mechanism 1622 can be positioned to extend through the bottom surface of the housing 1606, the side surface of the housing, or the top surface of the housing.

[0162] Additionally, the forward surface 1624 of the locking mechanism 1610 can have a ramp or inclined surface that is closer to the housing 1606 at the end closest to the protrusion 1600 and farther from the housing 1606 above that end. Thus, when the locking mechanism 1610 moves downward, the locking mechanism can contact the shoulder surface 1618 and can 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 tilt or wobbling between the protrusion and the locking mechanism 1610. The downward movement of the locking mechanism 1610 can proportionally drive additional inward movement of the protrusion 1600 until any clearance is eliminated.

[0163] Furthermore, as Figure 17C shown, the protrusion 1600 can include guide surfaces 1626, 1628 that contact guide surfaces 1630, 1632 in the opening 1633 of the central block 1634 within the cavity 1612. Thus, the gradual inward movement of the protrusion 1600 can cause the guide surfaces to slide against each other to orient the protrusion 1600 relative to the central block 1634 in the housing 1606 to a desired position and angle, similar to other guide surfaces disclosed herein. The contact between the guide surfaces and their inclined retreat ramps can prevent the protrusion 1600 from moving relative to the block 1634 in six degrees of freedom. The block 1634 can remain stationary relative to the housing 1606, or can be built into the housing 1606 or formed as part of the housing.

[0164] The adjustment mechanism 1622 can also be operated in the other direction (e.g., rotated about its axis of rotation in a direction opposite to the direction driven in Figure 18 to move the locking mechanism 1610 upward, asFigure 19 As shown, moving the locking mechanism 1610 upward moves the forward surface 1624 out of the shoulder surface 1618, thereby allowing the protrusion 1600 to move out of the channel 1620 and the opening 1608 again.

[0165] Additionally, if the locking mechanism 1610 is moved upward far enough, such as to the Figure 19 position shown, the rear 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 eject 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 rear surface 1636 to facilitate smooth sliding of the protrusion 1600 along the rear surface 1636 when the protrusion 1600 is ejected. The rear surface can also be oriented non - orthogonally with respect to the longitudinal axis of the protrusion 1600 such that when the rear surface moves, the ejection force it applies to the protrusion 1600 increases. The channel 1620 can also have a vertical dimension that exceeds the vertical height of the protrusion 1600, so that when the locking mechanism 1610 is moved upward to eject the protrusion, there is sufficient clearance such that the protrusion 1600 remains within the channel 1620, as Figure 17B (shows that the channel 1620 has additional space below the protrusion 1600) and Figure 19 (shows that the channel 1620 has additional space above the protrusion 1600) shown.

[0166] Thus, Figures 16A to 19 the system can be used to provide a rigid reversible link between the protrusion of the bracket and the locking member within the electronic device. Additionally, the positioning of the external device can be reversed. In other words, the bracket 1602 can be the electronic device, and the electronic device 1604 can be the bracket or other attachment base.

[0167] In addition to or instead of the screw - type adjustment mechanism 1622, various other types of adjustment mechanisms can be used. For example, as Figure 20As shown, the vertical translation of the locking mechanism 2010 can be caused by a pivot lever 2022 having an end 2024 attached to or adjacent to the locking mechanism 2010. A downward rotation of the lever 2022 (outside the housing 2006) can drive the locking mechanism 2010 upward, and an 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 vary the amount of force and torque required compared to another adjustment mechanism (e.g., 1622). It also allows adjustment to be achieved from different directions (i.e., through different surfaces of the housing 1606 - through the rear surface rather than through the top or bottom surface).

[0168] Figure 21 An embodiment is shown in which the locking mechanism 2110 can be rotated relative to the housing 2106 using an adjustment portion 2122 that is accessible from the outside of the housing 2106. Rotation of the adjustment portion 2122 about the axis of rotation 2125 can cause the locking mechanism 2110 to rotate from an unlocked position ( Figure 21 2110 - a shown in solid lines) to a locked position ( Figure 21 2110 - b shown in dashed lines), 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 exiting the housing 2106. As the protrusion moves along the inclined surface 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 secure the protrusion 1600 in place 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.

[0169] Figure 22 Another embodiment is shown of a terminal of a protrusion 2200 that is configured to engage and be connected to an electronic device (e.g., device 1604). The protrusion 2200 includes a consistent 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, a wide portion, and a shoulder surface at the transition between these portions. The protrusion 2200 may also have an end recess 2204 (e.g., centered within the protrusion 2200) that is aligned with the orifice 2202. The orifice 2202 and the recess 2204 may have inclined surfaces (e.g., their substantially vertical sides), such as an outer surface 2206 positioned within the recess 2204, and as Figure 23AAs shown, the inner surface 2208 is located within the orifice 2202. The orifice 2202 may extend through the projection 2200, which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the projection that intersects the orifice 2202 and the recess 2204.

[0170] The projection 2200 may be inserted through an opening 2210 in a housing 2212 of an electronic device and into a retainer block 2214 having an opening 2216 that has a guiding surface similar to the guiding surface of the central block 1634. Accordingly, the end of the projection 2200 may be guided to a snug-fitting position engaging the opening 2216, similar to the position Figure 17C shown and described.

[0171] Figure 23A A perspective cross-sectional view taken along Figure 23B section line 23A-23A in Figure 24A is shown, and Figure 24B a perspective cross-sectional view taken along Figure 23B section line 24A-24A in Figure 24B is shown. Front views of an assembly of the projection 2200 inserted into the retainer block 2214 and the housing 2212 are shown, where the latch 2218 is in different locked positions.

[0172] In Figures 23A to 23B the unlocked position, the projection 2200 is shown inserted into the retainer block 2214 past the wedge-shaped (or hook-shaped) portion 2220 of the latch 2218, where the orifice 2202 is positioned above the wedge-shaped portion 2220 of the latch 2218. The projection 2200 can be inserted into this position through the opening 2208 because the wedge-shaped portion 2220 is in a lowered position that unobstructs the opening 2208 within the housing 2212. In Figures 24A to 24B the locked position, the projection 2200 is locked within the housing 2212 by the latch 2218 because the wedge-shaped portion 2220 moves upward into the orifice 2202 and abuts the inner surface 2208 of the orifice. The wedge-shaped portion 2220 may include a forward surface that engages the inner surface 2208 and has a ramp, curvature, or inclined surface that causes the projection 2200 to move inward through the opening 2210 as the latch 2218 moves upward, similar to how the vertical movement of the forward surface 1624 inwardly drives the projection 1600 in the foregoing embodiment.

[0173] The latch 2218 may also have a ejector portion 2222 that does not contact the recess 2204 in the locked position, but the ejector portion has a rearward 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 out of the opening 2210 in the rearward pointing direction. The farther the latch 2218 moves downward, the greater the magnitude of the force applied by the rearward surface may increase.

[0174] Linkage 2224 and a set of pins 2226, 2228 (see Figures 24A to 24B ) may be used to move the latch 2218 between the unlocked position and the locked position. Linkage 2224 may be capable of rotating about pivot pin 2226, such as via a crank or by using a tool inserted into an externally accessible recess in pin 2226. See Figure 24A . Accordingly, the remainder of linkage 2224 may rotate about pivot pin 2226 between the positions shown in Figure 23B and the position shown in Figures 24A to 24B . The follower pin 2228 may be positioned within and received by a cam opening 2230 at the bottom end of the latch 2218, such that when the follower pin 2228 rotates about pivot pin 2226, the latch 2218 is guided and slides upward or downward as pin 2228 applies upward or downward pressure to the latch 2218 via the cam opening 2230. Accordingly, Figures 23B to 24B illustrates an alternative manner in which the latch 2218 is driven by a rotational input that is converted to a linear translation of a locking member within the housing. This rotational drive input may be used with other latch / locking mechanisms described herein.

[0175] Using any of the embodiments described in conjunction with Figures 16A to 24B , various types of locking mechanisms, adjustment mechanisms, latches, and pins may be used interchangeably. Accordingly, 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 linkage 2224, pins 2226, 2228, and a cam opening 2230 to be adjusted. Accordingly, various combinations and modifications may be made to the embodiments described herein to adjust the interconnect system and components in a customized manner according to the needs of the designer or user.

[0176] Figures 25A to 25C Illustrates another configuration of the bracket to the electronic device interconnect system 2500. These figures illustrate a right side view of the bracket 2502, where the shaft 2504 is configured to be attached to a rod 2506 within the housing 2508 of the electronic device 2510. A fastener 2512 may engage the shaft 2504 at the attachment interface and attach the shaft to the rod 2506. When in Figure 25AWhen in the position shown, the shaft 2504 is inserted into the housing 2508 through the opening 2514 (rendering the fastener 2512 inaccessible), and the locking member 2516 is positioned within the recess 2518 formed in the lever 2506. The lever 2506 has a pivotal connection to the housing 2508 at the pivot axis 2520, but since the end of the locking member 2516 is within the recess 2518, rotation of the lever 2506 out of the opening 2514 is prevented due to mechanical interference with the locking member 2516. Thus, due to the presence of the fastener 2512 and the rotational fixation of the lever 2506, the shaft 2504 is locked within the housing 2508 and cannot be withdrawn or removed from the lever 2506. Thus, Figure 25A This may be referred to as the locked configuration of the system 2500. This configuration may advantageously hide the fastener 2512 from normal viewing or access from the rear of the housing 2508, thereby giving the system 2500 enhanced security and a cleaner, fastener-free appearance, which reduces consumer confusion as to which parts of the device are the computational ports and which parts are the structure of the electronic device.

[0177] When the user desires to unlock the interconnect system 2500 and remove the shaft 2504 from the lever 2506, the fastener 2512 must be removed. To access the fastener, the user may insert a thin tool 2522 (e.g., a credit card, pin, flexible rod, probe, or other narrow and / or flexible sheet of material) into the gap between the opening 2514 of the housing 2508 and the lever 2506 such that the tool 2522 contacts the rearward surface of the locking member 2516, as Figure 25B shown. 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 such that the locking member is removed from the recess 2518. The locking member 2516 and the lever 2506 may have parallel axes of rotation. When the locking member 2516 rotates 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 lever 2506 may rotate about the pivot axis 2520 to a position where the end of the lever 2506 is exposed through the opening 2514, a position sufficient to expose the fastener 2512, as Figure 25C shown. In some embodiments, the lever 2506 may be biased to rotate towards the Figure 25C shown exposed and unlocked position. In the Figure 25C exposed and unlocked position, the fastener 2512 may be accessed and removed, thereby allowing the shaft 2504 and the lever 2506 to be separated from each other.

[0178] Applying an inwardly directed force to the end of the lever 2506 when the end of the lever is in the Figure 25C shown position may 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 lever 2506 again inFigure 25A Position. In some embodiments, the locking member 2516 may include a biasing device configured to apply a biasing torque to the locking member 2516 to rotate its end downward in a manner that prevents the locking member 2516 from disengaging from the recess 2518 due to a change in the direction of gravity acting on the device.

[0179] System 2500 can be used with other embodiments disclosed herein. For example, the housing 2508 can be part of a support bracket for an electronic device, and the bracket 2502 can alternatively be the electronic device. The bracket 2502 can include a lifting arm, such as one of the arm systems described in connection with Figures 13A to 15B One of the described arm systems. Thus, the elements of the various embodiments provided herein can be used interchangeably with other embodiments described herein.

[0180] Figure 26A A partial perspective view of another interconnect system 2600 of the present disclosure is shown. The system 2600 can connect an electronic device 2602 having a rear protrusion 2604 to a mounting adapter 2606. Figure 26B A top cross-sectional view of the system 2600 is shown, where the mounting adapter 2606 is assembled to the rear protrusion 2604 and the fastener 2607 secures the mounting adapter 2606 to the rear protrusion 2604. Figure 26B The cross-sectional view is taken along a central opening 2605 in the mounting adapter 2606.

[0181] The rear protrusion 2604 is rigidly anchored and connected to the electronic device 2602 (such a connection can include using with respect to Figures 16A to 25C(attachment of any of the embodiments shown and described), thereby preventing the rear protrusion 2604 from moving substantially 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 an articulated hinge using a pair of aligned lateral openings 2608 that are configured to receive a shaft or fastener (e.g., 408, 808, etc.) for mounting the protrusion 2604 to a receiving barrel (e.g., 840) or a receiving opening (e.g., 320). The rear protrusion 2604 can include additional aligned lateral openings 2610 that are configured to connect to the shaft of a laterally inserted fastener or other articulated hinge (e.g., a hinge having lateral openings or holes at different depths relative to holes that will align with the openings 2608). The lateral openings 2608, 2610 can be located on a rearwardly extending protrusion 2612 of the rear protrusion 2604. The rear protrusion 2604 can also include an intermediate portion 2614 having a set of rearward openings 2616. Other embodiments disclosed herein can also implement sets of lateral openings 2608, 2610 and rearward openings 2616, such as the rod and device attachment structures described above. In one example, a set of lateral openings 2608 can be used in conjunction with an articulation mechanism, while another set of lateral openings 2610 can be used to connect to a lift mechanism (or vice versa). Thus, in some embodiments, the rear protrusion 2604 can be configured for multiple applications, including coupling to an articulation 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 of the systems or embodiments described herein without modifying the rear protrusion 2604.

[0182] The mounting adapter 2606 can be positioned such that the central opening 2605 is aligned with the rearward opening 2616, such 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 a 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 VESA-compatible or compliant 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.

[0183] In some embodiments, the mounting adapter 2606 may include at least one forward surface 2620 configured to engage the rearward surface 2622 of the electronic device 2602 when the mounting adapter 2606 is in use. The forward surface 2620 may help to stabilize the adapter 2606 and ensure a rigid, non-swaying connection (via fasteners 2607) between the mounting adapter 2606 and the electronic device 2602.

[0184] Figure 27 A partially exploded top cross-sectional view of a connection assembly for a rod 2700 capable of being connected to an electronic device 2702 and an angled hinge 2709 connected to a support bracket 2712 is shown. Figure 28 An assembled top cross-sectional view is shown, in which the rod 2700 is incorporated into the angled hinge 2709. Figure 29 A partially exploded top cross-sectional view of the internal parts of the angled hinge 2709 is shown. The rod 2700 includes a set of axially parallel openings 2710 configured to align with corresponding axially openings 2711 on a pin 2701 that is rotatably mounted within an outer cylinder 2740 to a lifting arm 2712. The set of openings 2710, 2711 may receive a set of corresponding fasteners 2715. The fasteners 2715 may be used to fixedly mount the rod 2700 to the pin 2701 and effectively engage the structure of the fasteners to act as a single piece. In this way, the pin 2701 and the rod 2700 may jointly perform Figures 8 to 12 the functions of the rod 800, shafts 808-a, 808-b, and receiving member cylinder 840 of the related embodiments.

[0185] The rod 2700, the pin 2701, and the electronic device 2702 may form a display portion of the assembly that is angled at the angled hinge 2709 relative to the lifting arm 2712. The use of the fasteners 2715 enables the angled hinge 2709 to be assembled such that externally accessible fasteners (e.g., shaft 808) are not exposed from the side of the outer cylinder 1240. In other words, the fasteners 2715 can only be seen, accessed, or adjusted when the user enters the interior of the housing of the electronic device 2702 (i.e., the area that is hidden from view when the device 2702 and the lifting arm 2712 are in an assembled state).

[0186] The outer cylinder 1240 may define an internal cavity 2742 in which the internal moving parts of the angled hinge 2709 are positioned, and the internal cavity 2742 may be closed at its ends by a cover 2744 that prevents access to the angled hinge 2709 by, for example, an end user or contaminants. The rod 2700 and the electronic device 2702 may be mounted to the angled hinge 2709 along an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the pin 2701 (i.e., along Figure 27(the dashed line in). The fastener 2715 can be hidden from the end user or observer of the electronic device 2702 and the bracket, so that the entire assembly has a clean appearance and structure, which prevents the electronic device 2702 from being unnecessarily removed (e.g., stolen) from the lifting arm 2712 or dust and debris from accumulating on the fastener.

[0187] The pin 2701 can be installed in the internal 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 cylinder 2740 in the internal cavity 2742. Thus, the bearings or bushings 2750, 2752 can be stationary relative to the outer cylinder 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 that is centered with the bushings 2750, 2752 from moving relative to the outer cylinder 2740. Due to the tight fit between the bearings or bushings 2750, 2752 and the pin 2701 and the secure fit of the rod 2700 to the pin 2701 by the fastener 2715, the combination of the rod 2700 and the pin 2701 can advantageously hold the rod 2700 properly constrained and prevent wobbling.

[0188] An additional fastener 2717 can be installed between the rear wall 2719 of the electronic device 2712 and the component opening 2721 of the rod 2700. The fastener 2717 can be referred to as a component fastener or a guide fastener because the fastener can be used to assemble the rod 2700 to the rear wall 2719 before installing another pin attachment fastener 2715. Thus, the guide fastener 2717 can be installed to help simplify the assembly of the pin attachment fastener 2715 by holding the rod 2700 in place relative to the rear wall 2719, while the openings 2710, 2711 are aligned and filled by the pin attachment fastener 2715 during assembly.

[0189] A set of friction disc components 2754 can be held in place between the bushing 2750 and the end nut 2756 that are both mounted to the threads at the end of the pin 2701. Figure 29 These components are shown in a disassembled state, and Figure 28 these components are shown in an assembled state. The friction disc components 2754 can operate as friction discs 852, such as to apply frictional resistance to the relative movement of the cylinders 840, 842. Also see the description of the Figures 8 to 12 embodiments, which also apply to the friction disc assembly 2754. The amount of friction applied by the friction disc components 2754 is adjusted by adjusting the compression of those components 2754 by the end nut 2756, thereby allowing adjustment of the amount of force required to change the tilt angle of the tilt hinge 2709.

[0190] The opposite ends of the pin 2701 may include end portions 2758 on which an optional spring 2760 is mounted (e.g., a torsion spring or other elastic biasing member such as other biasing structures described or disclosed herein). The spring 2760 may have the same characteristics and functions as the spring 850 of the Figures 8 to 12 embodiment, including 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) a bearing or bushing 2752. Thus, the description of the spring 850 may apply to the spring 2760.

[0191] 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. Due to the relative rotation between the pin 2701 and the outer cylinder 2740, the attachment between these parts 2701, 2760, 2752 may cause the potential energy of the spring 2760 to increase or decrease. Thus, the spring 2760 can be used to bias the rotation of the pin 2701 towards a desired "original" or "default" position where the potential energy of the spring 2760 is lowest. In some embodiments, this position is a horizontal position, as Figure 1C shown. The number of coils or collars on the ends of the spring 2760 may 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, especially when the spring 2760 is held in place by a press fit or friction fit. In some embodiments, the coils or collars of the spring 2760 have a length of at least three circumferences of their corresponding outer circumference of the pin 2701 or bushing 2752 against which they engage and contact, such that the spring 2760 does not slip relative to the pin 2701 or bushing 2752 when the tilt hinge 2709 rotates. In some embodiments, one circumference length or less is provided for each coil or collar, 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 Figures 31 to 34 the embodiment of.

[0192] The spring 2760 may be configured to assist the user in adjusting the tilt of the electronic device 2702 by applying a torque to the pin 2701 and the outer cylinder 2740 when the bottom of the device tilts forward (i.e., the electronic device 102 moves from the Figure 1B position to the Figure 1C position shown), which helps the device rotate in that direction at the tilt hinge 2709. When the electronic device 2702 is in the opposite direction (e.g., when the electronic device moves from Figure 1Cin the direction of movement towards the position of Figure 1B When the spring 2760 rotates in the direction shown (from the position of Figure 1B to the position of Figure 1C ), the spring 2760 can also resist the rotation of the electronic device by storing potential energy and applying a resisting torque to the tilt hinge 2709. In this way, the spring 2760 can improve the ergonomics of the bracket (e.g., 104) by making the electronic device require substantially similar (e.g., equal) torques to pivot at the tilt hinge 2709 whether it is tilted in the forward or backward direction (i.e., in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction / parallel to the axis of rotation when viewed from its lateral side). The resistance and assistance of the spring 2760 can be particularly beneficial in embodiments where the center of gravity of the electronic device 2702 is vertically positioned above the tilt hinge 2709 (e.g., at the vertical level of the joint 114 in Figure 1C ), so that the electronic device 2702 does not rotate excessively due to the center of gravity crossing the tilt hinge 2709. Figure 1C in Figure 1C

[0193] Figure 30 Figure 8 shows a side cross-sectional view taken along the plane P when the rod 2700 is fully inserted through the pin 2701 and the top end of the electronic device 2702 is tilted backward (similar to the position shown in Figure 1B ). The rod 2700 may include a protrusion 2705 that can be inserted into the orifice 2707 of the pin 2709. The protrusion 2705 may have a length sufficient to extend through the length of the axis of rotation 3001, extend through the orifice 2707, and protrude from the opposite side of the orifice 2702 relative to the flange of the rod 2700 that carries a set of openings 2710. This corresponds to the position of the rod 800 shown in the upward rotation position 1202 in Figure 12 . Figure 1B the position shown in Figure 1B Figure 28 Figure 28 Figure 12 Figure 12 Figure 30 The view of Figure 30 illustrates how the protrusion 2705 of the rod 2700 from the rear side of the pin 2701 allows the rod 2700 to engage the adjacent stop surface 3000 at the side surface 3002 of the rod 2700. The electronic device 2702 can rotate about the axis of rotation 3001 so that the protrusion 2705 contacts a second adjacent stop surface 3004 above the first stop surface 3000 and located on the opposite side relative to the side surface 3002. Thus, the stop surfaces 3000, 3004 can define the rotation limits of the tilt hinge 2709.

[0194] 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. Figure 12 Representative shown.

[0195] 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, the tilt hinge 2709 can be used to control and support tilt in the tilt joint 110, the height joint 114, the tilt hinge 1309, the tilt hinge 1411, the lift system 1500, the bracket 1602, the bracket 2502, etc. Thus, features discussed in conjunction with one embodiment can be applied to and used in conjunction with other embodiments disclosed herein.

[0196] Figures 31 to 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. Figure 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 Figure 34 Along Figure 32A 34-34 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.

[0197] The rod 3106 can be mounted / can be capable of being mounted to the electronic device 3103, similar to other rods described herein. The rod 3106 can 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, at least one of the rod 3106 and the blocks 3108, 3110 can be formed as a single piece or as a rod assembly that operates as a single piece during assembly. Thus, when including one or more of the blocks 3108, 3110, the rod 3106 can include block portions that perform the functions of one or more blocks. The end blocks 3102, 3104 can include one or more stop surfaces (e.g., Figure 32A , Figure 32B , Figure 34 such as 3112 in), and at least one of the movable blocks 3108, 3110 can abut against the one or more stop surfaces to provide at least one rotation limit to the hinge 3100. Figure 32A shows the rod 3106 in a first rotational position (aligned with the longitudinal axis of the lifting arm 3101, i.e., in the position shown in Figure 31 ), and Figure 32B shows the rod 3106 in a second rotational position angled approximately 15 to 25 degrees about the rotation axis F relative to the first rotational position. In the second position, the stop surface 3112 engages the first block 3108.

[0198] 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 set of coils, or other elastic biasing member) coiled about 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, where the energy storage device can store and release energy to assist in the smooth and easy rotation of the electronic device 3103 about the rotation axis F, while also helping to hold the electronic device 3103 in place once the user has moved the device to a selected tilted 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 can include one or more coils (e.g., by friction fit, welding, adhesive, etc.) attached to the first sleeve 3118, and the second end 3120 can include one or more coils (e.g., by friction fit, welding, adhesive, etc.) attached to the second sleeve 3122. One or both of the first sleeve 3118 and the second sleeve 3120 can have an axial opening configured to receive the center pin 3105, as shown in Figures 33 to 34As shown. In some embodiments, the first sleeve 3118 can be mounted to the central pin 3105 and rotate with the central pin 3105 about the longitudinal / inclination rotation axis F. And in some embodiments, the first sleeve 3118 can be mounted to the first block 3108 and does not have to rotate synchronously with the central pin 3105 about the axis F. The second sleeve 3122 can be an arm block that may not have a central opening, such as being an integral part of (or permanently mounted to an integral part of) an end block (e.g., 3102, 3104) or otherwise moving synchronously 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 an 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.

[0199] The balance assembly components are shown in Figure 33 an exploded view. The first end 3116 and the second end 3120 may have different inner diameters to accommodate the different outer diameters of the first sleeve 3118 and the second sleeve 3122 for engagement. The second sleeve 3122 can be attached to the lifting arm in a manner that remains stationary relative to the end blocks 3102, 3104. Thus, the rotation of the rod 3106 causes the first block 3108, the central pin 3105, and the first sleeve 3118 to rotate about the rotation axis F relative to the second sleeve 3122 and the two end blocks 3102, 3104. 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. Figures 32A to 32B It shows how the parts move relative to each other and relative to the rotation axis F.

[0200] The first sleeve 3118 can include a fixing screw 3124, other fasteners, or similar removable or adjustable clamping devices to attach the first sleeve 3118 adjustably to the first block 3108 and / or the central pin 3105. The fixing screw 3124 can be used to tune and adjust the neutral position for the energy storage device 3114, which can be particularly beneficial in embodiments where the center of gravity of the electronic device 3103 moves from one side (e.g., the front side) of the rotation axis F of the tilt hinge 3100 to the opposite side (e.g., the rear side).

[0201] For example, as Figure 31As shown, when the device 3103 is in the first position, the center of gravity G1 of the electronic device 3103 is located on the front side of the rotation axis F. The electronic device 3103 can tilt backward about the axis F such 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 on the front side of the axis F and the center of gravity is at G1, the balance energy storage device 3114 needs to provide a moment in the first direction to support the weight of the electronic device (e.g., a clockwise moment when viewed from the angle of Figure 31 ). When the center of gravity moves to point G2, the balance assembly does not need to apply any moment because the weight of the electronic device 3103 is centered above the axis F. When the center of gravity moves to point G3, the balance assembly needs to apply a moment in the second direction (e.g., a counterclockwise moment when viewed from the angle of Figure 31 ) to prevent the electronic device 3103 from automatically continuing to rotate until it contacts the bracket 3107. Therefore, the energy storage device 3114 needs to provide a first balance moment in the first direction when the electronic device 3103 is in the first position (corresponding to G1), needs to provide no moment when the electronic device 3103 is in the second position (corresponding to G2), and needs to provide a second balance moment in the second direction when the electronic device 3103 is in the third position (corresponding to G3).

[0202] Due to manufacturing tolerances, assembly variations, and similar variances in the configuration and assembly of the electronic device 3103, the bracket 3107, the lifting arm 3101, and the tilt hinge 3100, the neutral angle for the tilt hinge 3100 (based on the intermediate position of the energy storage device 3114) can undesirably vary. Therefore, the first sleeve 3118 and the fixing screw 3124 can adjust the intermediate position of the energy storage device 3114 during or after the assembly of the tilt hinge 3100, and the finished product can have a precisely tuned (or, if desired, adjustable tuned) neutral angle that does not cause the electronic device 3103 to deviate from the user-selected positioning.

[0203] Accordingly, 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 the fixing screw 3124, then the electronic device 3103 is moved to a position where its center of gravity G2 is located above the rotation axis F (or any position where the neutral angle of the energy storage device 3114 needs to be positioned), then the fixing screw 3124 is fixed 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 of the electronic device 3103, which takes into account any variations in the weight, dimensions, shape, etc. of the parts of the electronic device 3103 or the tilt hinge 3100.

[0204] In addition, using the neutral angle of the energy storage device 3114 to precisely construct the position of G2 can eliminate the wobbling, jittering, or jumping 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. Additionally, the wobbling 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 ends of the energy storage device 2760 on the pin 2701 and the bushing 2752) can be at least partially released and unstably vary the amount of torque applied to the hinge by the energy storage device, or can provide a dead zone of less than the desired torque for a portion of the movement range of the tilt hinge. Thus, in some embodiments, the ends of the coil of the energy storage device (e.g., ends 3116 and 3120 of 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 smoothly, 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 this torque profile transition can prevent jitter or dead zones in the movement of the tilt hinge 3100.

[0205] To the extent applicable to the present technology, data collected and used from various sources can be used to improve the delivery of inspirational content or any other content that a user may be interested in. The present disclosure anticipates 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 can include demographic data, location-based data, telephone numbers, email addresses, IDs, home addresses, data or records related to a user's health or health level (e.g., vital sign measurements, medication information, exercise information), date of birth, or any other identifying or personal information.

[0206] The present disclosure recognizes that the use of such personal information data in the technology of the present invention can be used to benefit the user. For example, such personal information data can be used to deliver targeted content that the user is more interested in. Thus, the use of such personal information data enables the user to have a planned control over the delivered content. Additionally, the present disclosure also anticipates other uses of personal information data that are beneficial to the user. For example, health and fitness data can be used to provide insights into a user's overall health condition, or can be used as positive feedback for an individual using technology to pursue health goals.

[0207] The present disclosure contemplates 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 readily accessible to users and should be updated as the collection and / or use of data changes. Personal information from users should be collected for legitimate and reasonable purposes of the entity and not shared or sold outside of those legitimate uses. Additionally, such collection / sharing should occur with the informed consent of the user. Further, such entities should consider taking any necessary steps to safeguard and secure access to such personal information data and to ensure that others with access to personal information data comply with their privacy policies and procedures. Additionally, such an entity may subject itself to third-party assessments to demonstrate its compliance with widely accepted privacy policies and practices. Further, policies and practices should be adjusted to account for the specific types of personal information data being collected and / or accessed and to apply applicable laws and standards that include specific considerations of the jurisdiction. For example, in the United States, the collection or acquisition 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. Thus, different privacy practices should be maintained for different types of personal data in each country.

[0208] Notwithstanding the foregoing, the present disclosure also anticipates embodiments where users selectively block the use or access of personal information data. That is, the present disclosure anticipates 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 inventive technology may be configured to allow a user to select "opt-in" or "opt-out" of participating in the collection of personal information data during or at any time after registering for the service. In another example, a user may choose not to provide emotion-related data for a targeted content delivery service. In another example, a user may choose to limit the length of time that emotion-related data is kept or to completely prohibit the development of underlying emotional states. In addition to providing "opt-in" and "opt-out" options, the present disclosure contemplates providing notice related to the access or use of personal information. For example, a user may be notified when an application is downloaded that their personal information data will be accessed and then reminded again just before the personal information data is accessed by the application.

[0209] In addition, it is an object of the present disclosure to manage and process personal information data to minimize the risk of inadvertent or unauthorized access or use. The risk can be minimized by restricting data collection and deleting data once it is no longer needed. Additionally, 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, when appropriate, by removing specific identifiers (e.g., date of birth, etc.), controlling the amount or specificity of the data stored (e.g., collecting location data at the city level rather than at the address level), controlling how the data is stored (e.g., aggregating data on the user), and / or other methods.

[0210] Accordingly, 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 anticipates that the various embodiments may also be implemented without access to such personal information data. That is, the various embodiments of the inventive technology will not fail to operate due to the lack of all or a portion of such personal information data. For example, preferences can be inferred by relying on non-personal information data or an absolute minimum amount of personal information such as the content requested by a device associated with the user, other non-personal information available to a content delivery service, or publicly available information, and content can be selected and delivered to the user accordingly.

[0211] For purposes of illustration, the foregoing description uses specific names to provide a thorough understanding of the described embodiments. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that no specific details are required in order to practice the described embodiments. Accordingly, the foregoing description of the specific embodiments described herein is presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise forms disclosed. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings.

Claims

1. A connection assembly for attaching an electronic device to a support bracket, the connection assembly comprising: An electronic device, the electronic device including a housing, a latch positioned within the housing, and an adjustment mechanism for moving the latch relative to the housing between a first position and a second position, the housing including an opening; and A support structure, the support structure including a protrusion, the protrusion including a longitudinal axis and a locking surface oriented non - orthogonally relative to the longitudinal axis; Wherein, 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; Wherein, when the latch is in the second position, the protrusion is locked in place relative to the housing by engagement of the protrusion against the locking surface by the latch; and Wherein, the protrusion is pulled into the opening by engagement between the latch and the locking surface in response to movement of the latch from the first position to the second position.

2. The connection assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The protrusion further includes a tapered end portion, wherein the tapered end portion is pulled into a tapered opening of the electronic device in response to movement of the latch from the first position to the second position.

3. The connection assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The latch translates within the housing between the first position and the second position.

4. The connection assembly according to claim 3, wherein, The adjustment mechanism is rotatable to translate the latch within the housing.

5. The connection assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The latch rotates within the housing between the first position and the second position.

6. The connection assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The adjustment mechanism includes a lever accessible from the exterior of the housing to adjust the position of the latch.

7. The connection assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The adjustment mechanism includes a threaded shaft configured to translate the latch between the first position and the second position.

8. The connection assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The latch further includes 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.

9. The connection assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The latch further includes a pop - out surface oriented non - orthogonally relative to the longitudinal axis of the protrusion, wherein the protrusion is pushed out of the opening by engagement between the pop - out surface and the protrusion in response to movement of the latch from the second position towards or beyond the first position relative to the second position.

10. The connection assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The protrusion includes an aperture extending through the protrusion that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, wherein the locking surface is positioned within the aperture.

11. A connection assembly for attaching an electronic device to a support structure, the connection assembly comprising: An electronic device, the electronic device including an outer housing, a rod rotatably connected to the outer housing, and a locking member pivotable relative to the outer housing and relative to the rod, the outer housing having an opening, the rod having a locking recess; And A support structure, the support structure having a shaft that can be inserted into the opening and can be attached to the rod at an attachment interface; Wherein, with the locking member positioned in the locking recess of the rod, the rod is prevented from pivoting relative to the outer housing; and Wherein, with the locking member removed from the locking recess of the rod, the rod can pivot to a position exposing the attachment interface through the opening of the outer housing.

12. The connection assembly according to claim 11, wherein, When the rod is in the position exposing the attachment interface through the opening of the outer housing, the shaft can be selectively removed from the rod.

13. The connection assembly according to claim 11, wherein, The attachment interface includes a fastener that joins the shaft to the rod, where the fastener is removable in response to exposing the attachment interface through the opening in the housing.

14. The connection assembly according to claim 11, wherein, A gap is formed between the opening in the housing and the shaft or the rod, where the locking member is movable in response to a probe being inserted into the gap.

15. The connection assembly according to claim 11, wherein, The locking member is configured to automatically lock the rod when pivoting the attachment interface relative to the opening to the housing.

16. The connection assembly according to claim 11, wherein, A first axis of rotation of the rod and a second axis of rotation of the locking member are parallel to each other.

17. A connection assembly for joining an electronic device to a support bracket, the connection assembly comprising: An electronic device, the electronic device includes a housing portion, a rod movably connected to the housing portion, and a locking member, the rod defining a locking recess and configured to receive the locking member at the locking recess, the housing portion including an opening; and A support bracket having a protrusion, the protrusion being insertable into the opening and attachable to the rod at the attachment interface; wherein, with the locking member located in the locking recess, the attachment interface is disposed within the housing portion; and wherein, with the locking member removed from the locking recess, the attachment interface is movable relative to the housing portion.

18. The connection assembly according to claim 17, wherein, In response to a probe being inserted into the opening in the housing portion, the locking member is prevented from entering the locking recess.

19. The connection assembly according to claim 17, wherein, The rod is biased to rotate toward a position where the attachment interface is exposed through the opening in the housing portion.

20. The connection assembly according to claim 17, wherein, The locking member includes a biasing device configured to bias the locking member toward the locking recess of the rod.

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