Patent · US Expired

Brake mechanism for controlling the tilt of a computer display

US6654068B1 · kind B1 · utility

14Cited by
15References
32Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 4, 2000
Grant dateNov 25, 2003
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 4, 2020

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF16M2200/041
  • WIPO fieldMechanical elements
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A computer display includes a pivotally mounted upper housing having a display screen, a brake used to retard pivoting motion of this upper housing, and a release mechanism for releasing the brake so that the upper housing can be freely moved. The display screen is preferably a touchscreen, which is touched to indicate a selection made by the user, with the brake resisting a tilting movement of the screen as it is touched. In a first version, two brakes are used to retard motion in both directions, with a single release wheel being turned in one direction to allow rearward motion of the upper housing and in another direction to allow forward motion of the upper housing. In a second version, a single brake is released by stopping motion of a release mandrel to unwrap a clutch spring. In a third version, two brakes, operating near opposite edges of the upper housing to stop downward movement of the upper housing, provide a particularly stiff mechanism for mounting the upper housing, and are simultaneously released by turning a knob to pivot a shaft.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.