United States Patent
`
`[19]
`
`[11] E
`
`Patent Number: Re. 36,978
`
`Moscovitch
`
`[45] Reissued Date of Patent:
`
`Dec. 5, 2000
`
`USO0RE36978E
`
`[54] DUAL DISPLAY SYSTEM
`
`5,673,170
`
`9/1997 Register.
`
`[76]
`
`Inventor:
`
`Jerry Moscovitch, 59 Cowar Avenue,
`Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M6K 2N1
`
`[21] Appl. No.: 09/172,193
`
`[22]
`
`Filed:
`
`Oct. 13, 1998
`
`Related U.S. Patent Documents
`
`Reissue of:
`
`[64]
`
`Patent No.:
`Issued:
`Appl. No.:
`Filed:
`
`5,687,939
`NOV. 18, 1997
`08/638,158
`Apr. 26, 1996
`
`Int. Cl.7 ................................................... .. F16M 11/00
`[51]
`[52] U.S. Cl.
`................ ..
`. 248/122.1; 248/921; D14/113
`
`[58] Field of Search
`........................ .. 248/917, 919,
`248/921, 122.1, 178.1, 185.1, 176.3, 920,
`922; D14/113; 345/156
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`D. 278,820
`D. 340,235
`4,112,423
`4,159,417
`5,467,102
`5,534,888
`
`............................. .. D14/103
`5/1985 Woodhall
`
`.
`.. D14/103
`10/1993 Robak et al.
`............................... .. 345/156
`9/1978 Bertolasi
`6/1979 Rubincam .
`11/1995 Kuno et al.
`7/1996 Lebby et al.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`Primary Examiner—Ramon O. Ramirez
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Harness Dickey & Pierce, P.L.C.
`
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A display system includes a base, a pair of electronic
`displays, and an arm assembly that supports the displays
`from the base in vertical or horizontal registration. In one
`implementation,
`the arm assembly is a single telescopic
`member that rotates relative to the base and locks in vertical
`
`and horizontal orientations, the displays rotate relative to the
`member between corresponding extreme angular positions
`in which the operative angular orientation of the displays
`relative to horizontal is maintained, and the length of the
`member is adjusted to minimize separation of the displays.
`In another implementation, the arm assembly has separate
`arms rotating about vertically spaced axes and linked to
`minimize the separation of the displays automatically when
`vertically or horizontally registered.
`In a simple
`implementation, the arm assembly is a rigid arm that releas-
`ably attaches to the base only in vertical and horizontal
`orientations, the displays mounted releasably to the arm in
`pre-defined angular orientations that preserve their operative
`angular orientation, and one display can be connected to the
`arm at spaced apart position to adjust separation of the
`displays.
`
`17 Claims, 9 Drawing Sheets
`
`SpaceCo
`Exhibit l()()l
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`Dec. 5, 2000
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`Sheet 1 of 9
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`F/6.16
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`U.S. Patent
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`U.S. Patent
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`Sheet 9 of9
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`Re. 36,978
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`

`
`Re. 36,978
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`1
`DUAL DISPLAY SYSTEM
`
`Matter enclosed in heavy brackets [ ] appears in the
`original patent but forms no part of this reissue specifi-
`cation; matter printed in italics indicates the additions
`made by reissue.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The invention relates generally to electronic displays used
`with computers, and more particularly, to a display system
`permitting convenient positioning of dual displays.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`Computers are readily adapted to operate multiple dis-
`plays. Paired monitors are useful when large amounts of
`related information, such as data or graphics, must be
`compared. Paired monitors can be inconvenient, however,
`where limited desk space is available. Also,
`in some
`instances information may be best presented with the moni-
`tors horizontally aligned, and in other instances, with the
`monitors vertically aligned. Conventional practices do not
`permit such selection or changing of monitor orientations.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`In one aspect, the invention provides a display system
`comprising a base, a pair of electronic displays, and means
`for positioning the displays selectively in vertically regis-
`tered relationship and in horizontally registered relationship.
`The positioning means comprise an arm assembly which
`supports the displays and which may comprise a single
`rotary arm, a pair of arms rotating about separate axes, a
`single arm locatable in two desired orientation or inter-
`changeable arms of different length. The positioning means
`support the arm assembly from the base selectively in a first
`orientation relative to the base in which the displays are
`positioned in vertically registered relationship and in a
`second orientation in which the displays are positioned in a
`horizontally registered relationship. Each display has an
`operative angular orientation relative to horizontal
`(neglecting tilting which is normally permitted about a
`horizontal or vertical axis). For example, a landscape display
`is normally operated with its lengthwise axis oriented hori-
`zontal as the video board operating the display will normally
`align text or other displayed matter with the display’s
`lengthwise axis. The positioning means thus include means
`for adjusting the angular orientation of each of the displays
`relative to the arm assembly to orient each display in its
`operative angular orientation when the arm assembly is in
`either of its orientations with the displays either vertically or
`horizontally registered.
`In one implementation of the invention, the arm assembly
`rotates about a generally horizontal axis relative to the base,
`and each display rotates relative to the arm assembly. The
`arm assembly may be releasably locked in either of its pair
`of orientations, typically vertical or horizontal, and each
`display is permitted to rotate only between a pair of extreme
`angular positions relative to the arm assembly. Each extreme
`angular positions corresponds to a different orientation of
`the arm assembly relative to the base so that each display is
`oriented in its operative angular orientation whenever the
`arm assembly is locked to the base in either of the orienta-
`tions and the display is rotated to its corresponding angular
`position. In another implementation, the arm assembly and
`the displays are coupled so that the angular orientation of
`each display relative to the arm assembly changes as the arm
`assembly displaces between its pair of orientations, ensuring
`
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`that each display automatically orients in its operative
`angular orientation whenever the displays are vertically or
`horizontally registered.
`The displays will often be horizontally elongate in their
`operative angular orientation. It will generally be desirable
`to minimize the spacing between edges of the displays
`whether vertically registered or horizontally registered. To
`that end, the center-to-center spacing between the displays is
`preferably reduced when the displaces are vertically regis-
`tered and increased when the displays are horizontally
`registered. In one approach, the arm assembly may be a
`telescopic member that permits telescopic adjustment of
`display spacing.
`In another approach, one display may
`mounted to the arm assembly in different positions spaced
`apart along the arm. In a particularly robust arrangement, the
`one display has a plug that interlocks with either of a pair of
`sockets located proximate to one end of the arm assembly
`and spaced apart axially along the arm assembly.
`In yet another implementation, the spacing between hori-
`zontally elongate displays is automatically adjusted as the
`arm assembly is displaced between orientations that place
`the displays in horizontal and vertical registration. The arm
`assembly comprises a pair of horizontally spaced apart arms
`rotating in parallel planes. Means supporting the arm assem-
`bly from the base comprise upper and lower rotary shafts in
`parallel relationship. One arm has its fixed end fixed to the
`upper shaft such that the arm rotates in a plane perpendicular
`to the upper shaft. The other arm has a fixed end fixed to the
`lower shaft such that
`the other arm rotates in a plane
`perpendicular to the lower shaft in response to rotation of the
`upper shaft. In their vertically registered relationship, a
`predetermined one of the displays is located below the other
`display. The one display (lower when vertically registered)
`is mounted to the free end of the one arm fixed to the upper
`shaft, and the other display (upper when vertically
`registered) is mounted to the free end of the other arm fixed
`to the lower shaft. Since one arm extends downwardly to
`support
`the lower display and the other arm extends
`upwardly to support the upper display, the center-to-center
`spacing between the displays is effectively reduced when
`registered. However, when the arms are rotated outwardly to
`position the displays in horizontal registration, the center-
`to-center spacing increases.
`Various aspects of the invention will be apparent from a
`description below of a preferred embodiment and will be
`more specifically defined in the appended claims.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The invention will be better understood with reference to
`
`drawings in which:
`FIGS. 1-6 illustrate a first display system with dual
`displays in various orientations;
`FIG. 7 is a partially exploded, fragmented perspective
`view detailing the mounting of an arm to a base of the
`display system;
`FIGS. 8 and 9 are exploded perspective views detailing
`how one display is mounted to the arm with a novel ball and
`socket joint;
`FIGS. 10 and 11 fragmented elevational views, partially
`cross-sectioned,
`illustrating how rotation of one display
`relative to the arm is restricted to a 90 degree range between
`two well-defined positions;
`FIG. 12 is a rear elevation, partially sectioned, showing a
`second display system in which dual displays rotate in
`response to rotation of an arm assembly about a base;
`
`

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`Re. 36,978
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`3
`FIG. 13 is a plan view of the second display system from
`above showing linkage coupling the/arm and displays;
`FIGS. 14-16 are front elevations showing different rela-
`tive orientations of the displays of the second system;
`FIG. 17 is a side elevation showing a third display system
`with an arm vertical and supporting dual displays in vertical
`registration;
`FIG. 18 is a plan view from above showing the third
`display system with the arm horizontal and supporting the
`display in horizontal registration;
`FIG. 19 is an exploded perspective view, extensively
`fragmented, detailing how the arm mounts to a base and how
`the displays mount to the arm; and,
`FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the a ball and socket joint
`used to mount one of the displays of the third display system.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`Reference is made to FIGS. 1-6 which illustrate a first
`
`display system 10 which includes a base 12 configured to
`stand on a horizontal surface and a pair of landscape displays
`14, 16 (preferably liquid crystal displays). The displays 14,
`16 are mounted to opposing ends of a telescopic arm 18, and
`a hollow upright 20 associated with the base 12 supports the
`arm 18 for rotation. Each display 14 or 16 has a conventional
`port 22 permitting coupling to a computer (not illustrated)
`through a conventional video board (not illustrated).
`A rotary joint (detailed in the exploded view of FIG. 7)
`couples the arm 18 to the upright 20. The rotary joint is
`configured to perform two functions: to support the arm 18
`for rotation about a generally horizontal axis 26 through the
`upright 20, and to define distinct vertical and horizontal arm
`positions. The rotary joint includes a connector 28 fixed
`centrally to the rear of the arm 18, which includes a circular
`track 30 and a generally circular central projection 32. The
`upright 20 carries a complementary connecting structure
`comprising a circular recess 34 that receives the projection
`32, a washer 36, and a bolt 38 that fastens to the projection
`32. The washer 36 extends radially beyond the circular
`recess 34 and abuts the inner surface of the upright 20 to
`retain the projection, and rotates with the projection about
`the generally horizontal axis 26.
`A detent mechanism releasably locks the arm 18 in
`vertical and horizontal positions. Two indentations 40, 42
`are formed in the circular track 30 at positions spaced
`circumferentially by 90 degrees. A cylindrical recess 44 in
`the upright 20 contains a ball 46 and a biasing spring 48 that
`urges the ball 46 against the track 30. The ball 46 seats in
`either indentation 40 or 42 to lock the arm 18 in its vertical
`
`or horizontal position but releases from either indentation 40
`or 42 in response to manual rotation of the arm 18.
`Mounting structure 50 that mounts one display 16 to the
`arm 18 is detailed in FIGS. 8-11. The mounting structure 50
`is configured to perform two principal functions: to permit
`limited tilting of the display 16 about two mutually perpen-
`dicular axes, and to allow rotation of the display 16 relative
`to the arm 18 through a limited angle between two well-
`defined positions. The mounting structure 52 coupling the
`other display 14 to the arm 18 is substantially identical and
`will not be described.
`
`The mounting structure 50 includes a ball joint compris-
`ing a steel ball 56 formed on a steel shaft 58 supported from
`the arm 18 and a plastic socket 60 supported from the rear
`of the display 16. The socket 60 is formed with four slots
`that are oriented parallel to the socket’s receiving axis and
`
`4
`appearing generally horizontal in the operative orientation of
`the socket 60. One pair of slots 62 is vertically registered,
`and another pair of slots 64 is horizontally registered. The
`ball 56 carries four cylindrical projections oriented in a
`common plane. One pair of projections 66 are aligned with
`a vertical axis (not shown) and extend from the ball 56 in
`opposite axial directions. Another pair of projections 68 are
`aligned with a horizontal axis (not shown) and extend from
`the ball 56 in opposite axial directions. The vertical projec-
`tions 66 are received in the vertically registered slots 62,
`permitting free rotation of the display 16 about the vertical
`axis, but only limited rotation of the display 16 about the
`horizontal axis. The horizontal projections 68 are received in
`the horizontally registered slots 64, permitting free rotation
`of the display 16 about the horizontal axis, but only limited
`rotation of the display 16 about
`the vertical axis. This
`arrangement effectively permits only limited degree of tilt-
`ing of the display 16 about two mutually perpendicular axes,
`in this implementation about vertical and horizontal axes. It
`should be noted that
`the slots might be formed on the
`exterior of the ball 56, and the projections might be fixed to
`the socket 60 and extend inwardly to engage the slots. The
`arrangement illustrated, in which the projections 66, 68 are
`fixed to the ball 56 and the slots 62, 64 are formed in the
`socket 60, permits easy manufacture and assembly. The slots
`62, 64 extend rearward from the display 16 and terminate
`open-ended, facilitating insertion of the projections 66, 68
`into the slots 62, 64 as the socket 60 receives the ball 56.
`The shaft 58 is mounted for rotation relative to the arm 18
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`about a rotational axis 70 parallel to the generally horizontal
`axis 26 about which the arm 18 rotates. The arm 18 has a
`
`30
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`clearance hole 72 in its forward surface surrounded by a
`circular seating surface 74, and a cylindrical socket 76
`within the arm 18 that is aligned with the rotational axis 70
`and the clearance hole 72. The shaft 58 has an annular flange
`78 that presses a split washer 79 against the circular seating
`surface 74 as the shaft 58 is inserted centrally through the
`clearance hole 72 into the socket 76. The shaft 58 has three
`
`projections or tabs oriented in a common plane and extend-
`ing radially from the shaft 58. One pair of tabs 80 is closely
`spaced and a single tab 82 is positioned diametrically
`opposite the pair of tabs 80. The clearance hole 72 is
`configured to receive the tabs 80, 82 in a particular angular
`orientation as the shaft 58 is inserted into the socket 76, and
`rotation of the tabs 80, 82 from that particular angular
`orientation prevents removal of the shaft 58 from the arm 18.
`The tabs 80, 82 also function as stop structures cooperating
`with stop structures in the arm 18 to restrict rotation of the
`display 16, as explained below.
`Rotation of the shaft 58 is restricted by two stops: a
`rotatable stop 84 that threads into a socket 88 within the arm
`18 (complementary threads not shown), and a generally
`triangular fixed stop 90 formed on an inner surface of the
`arm 18. The rotatable stop 84 has a hexagonal key slot 92 to
`permit rotation of the stop 84 between a clearance position
`shown in FIG. 10 and an operative position shown in FIG.
`11 in which the stop 84 engages an abutment molded with
`the cylindrical socket 76. After insertion into the socket 76,
`the shaft 58 is manually rotated clockwise until the single tab
`82 passes the stop 84, for example, to one extreme angular
`position in which the single tab 82 abuts the fixed stop 90 as
`in FIG. 10. The rotatable stop 84 can then be placed in its
`operative position as shown in FIG. 11. When the shaft 58
`is then rotated counterclockwise, the single tab 82 engages
`the rotatable stop 84 as shown in FIG. 11. Rotation of the
`shaft 58 and thus the display 16 relative to the arm 18 is
`restricted to 90 degrees between two extreme angular posi-
`tions well-defined by the stops.
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`The two well-defined positions of the display 16 relative
`to the arm 18 correspond to the two well-defined positions
`of the arm 18 relative to the base 12. The display 16 position
`(relative to the arm 18) defined in FIG. 11 corresponds to the
`horizontal orientation of the arm 18 and preserves the
`landscape orientation of the display 16. The overall arrange-
`ment is apparent in FIGS. 3 and 4 where the arm 18 is
`horizontal and the displays 14, 16 are oriented in horizon-
`tally side-by-side relationship with their lengthwise axes
`(not illustrated) in an absolute horizontal orientation. The
`display 16 position (relative to the arm 18) defined in FIG.
`10 corresponds to the vertical orientation of the arm 18 and
`once again preserves the landscape orientation of the display
`16. The overall arrangement is apparent in FIGS. 5 and 6
`where the arm 18 is vertical and the displays 14, 16 are
`vertically registered. The telescopic arm 18 is extended in its
`horizontal orientation to increase the spacing between the
`displays 14, 16, and contracted in its vertical orientation to
`decrease the spacing between the displays 14, 16, effectively
`accommodating the horizontal elongation of the displays 14,
`16. Aconventional detent mechanism may be mounted in the
`arm 18 to fix its different vertical and horizontal lengths.
`Reference is made to FIGS. 12 and 13 which illustrate a
`
`second display system 100 comprising a base 102, an arm
`assembly 104 that rotates about a generally horizontal axis
`from an upright 105 associated with the base 102, and a pair
`of landscape displays 106, 108 mounted to opposing ends of
`the arm assembly 104. The arms 110, 112 have not been
`shown in FIG. 12 to better illustrate linkage rotating the
`displays 106, 108 with the arm assembly 104.
`The arm assembly 104 comprises a pair of distinct arms
`110, 112 (apparent in FIG. 13), one arm 110 in front of the
`upright 105 and the other arm 112 behind the upright 105.
`The upright 105 supports a central shaft 114 for rotation
`about a generally horizontal central axis and a central
`toothed gear 116 is fixed to the central shaft 114. The arms
`110, 112 are fixed to parallel rotary shafts 118, 120 mounted
`for rotation to the upright 105 about their lengthwise hori-
`zontal axes, one rotary shaft 118 above the central shaft 114
`and the other rotary shaft 120 below the central shaft 114.
`Each arm 110 or 112 has a fixed end fixed to its respective
`rotary shaft 118 or 120 such that each rotates in a plane
`perpendicular to the lengthwise axis of the associated shaft
`118 or 112, the two arms 110, 112 being horizontally spaced
`to avoid contact during such rotation. The upper and lower
`rotary shafts 118, 120 carry toothed part-circular gears 122,
`124 (spanning 90 degree sectors) that are meshed with the
`circular central gear 116. The central shaft 114 and the
`meshed gears 116, 122, 124 constrain the upper and lower
`rotary shafts 118, 120 to rotate together in the same angular
`direction. Although not apparent, end teeth of the upper and
`lower part-circular gears 122, 124 are shaped to limit
`rotation of the gears 122, 124 relative to the central gear 116.
`One display 106 is mounted with a ball joint 126 to a
`horizontal shaft 128, and the shaft 128 is mounted for
`rotation about its central horizontal axis to a free end of the
`
`rear arm 112. The ball joint 126 is preferably configured with
`pins and slots like the ball joint described above, to provide
`limited tilting of the display 106, but such a configuration
`has not been illustrated in FIG. 13. The rotary shafts 120,
`128 associated with the rear arm 112 are coupled with a
`toothed belt 130 running on pulleys fixed to the shafts so that
`the display 106 rotates in response to rotation of the rotary
`shaft 120 and thus rotates relative to the rear arm 112. The
`
`other display 108 is mounted with a similar ball joint 132 to
`a shorter horizontal shaft 134, and the shorter shaft 134 is
`mounted for rotation about its horizontal central axis to the
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`free end of the forward arm 110. The rotary shafts 118, 134
`associated with the forward arm 110 are similarly coupled
`with a toothed belt 136 to coordinate rotation of the other
`
`display 108 in response to rotation of the rotary shaft 118
`and thus rotates relative to the forward arm 110.
`
`Various orientations of the second display system 100 are
`shown in FIGS. 14-16. The “diagonal” orientation of the
`two displays 106, 108 in FIG. 14 corresponds to the orien-
`tation of the arm assembly 104 and various gears in FIGS.
`12 and 13. This is an intermediate orientation from which the
`
`arm assembly 104 can be rotated through about 45 degrees
`counterclockwise to achieve the vertically spaced orienta-
`tion of the displays 106, 108 in FIG. 15 or about 45 degree
`clockwise to achieve the horizontally side-by-side orienta-
`tion of the displays 106, 108 shown in FIG. 16. The arm
`assembly 104 is effectively coupled to each of the displays
`106, 108 so that the absolute landscape orientation of the
`two displays 106, 108 is, for practical purposes, maintained
`as the arm assembly 104 rotates. In this embodiment, the
`displays 106, 108 must be titled to orient one effectively
`behind the other to allow rotation of the arm assembly 104.
`This can be avoided by lengthening the arms 110, 112 to
`increase the separation of the displays 106, 108.
`The center-to-center spacing between the displays 106,
`108 is automatically adjusted when the displays 106, 108 are
`placed in vertical or horizontal registration. When vertically
`registered, one display 108 is always located below the other
`display 106. From examination of FIG. 12,
`it will be
`apparent that the lower display 108 would then be supported
`by the arm 110 extending downward from the upper rotary
`shaft 120, and the upper display 106 would be supported
`with the arm 112 extending upward from the lower rotary
`shaft 118. The arms 110, 112 then overlap for a large portion
`of their length and the distance between their free ends and
`thus the centers of the displays 106, 108 is minimized. From
`the orientation of FIG. 12, to place the displays in horizontal
`registration, the arms 110 would swing upward and outward
`to one side of the upright 105 and the arm 112 would swing
`downward and outward on an opposing side of the upright
`105, increasing the separation of their free ends and thus the
`center-to-center spacing of the displays 106, 108.
`The automatic adjusting of the orientation of the displays
`106, 108 can be implemented with a simpler arm assembly
`comprising just a single arm centrally mounted to a sup-
`porting base on a central rotary shaft. Belts or other linkages
`can be used to couple the central rotary shaft to rotary shafts
`supporting the displays 106, 108 to opposing ends of the
`single arm. However, use of two arms 110, 112 pivoting
`about separate axes permits simultaneous adjustment of
`display spacing.
`Reference is made to FIGS. 17 and 18 which illustrate a
`
`third display system 150 which includes a pair of landscape
`displays 152, 154 and a base 156 with an upright 158. The
`third display system 150 uses an arm 162 that mounts to the
`upright 158 in only two orientations. In FIG. 17, the arm 162
`is mounted to the upright 158 in a vertical orientation, and
`the displays 152, 154 are mounted to opposing ends of the
`arm 162 with a pair of identical connectors 164, 166. In FIG.
`18, the arm 162 is mounted to the upright 158 in a horizontal
`orientation, and the displays 152, 154 are mounted to
`opposing ends of the longer arm 162 using the same con-
`nectors 164, 166. In each instance, the lengthwise axes of the
`displays 153, 154 are kept horizontal.
`The connector 164 associated with one display 152 is
`shown in FIG. 20. The connector 164 includes a ball joint
`comprising a molded plastic socket 170 and an aluminum
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`Re. 36,978
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`ball 172 formed with a shaft 174. The socket 170 is formed
`with slots 178 and the ball 172 is formed with projections
`180, comparable to those above, which interlock to permit
`only limited tilting of the display 152 along two mutually
`perpendicular axes. Apress is used to insert the ball 172 into
`the socket 170, and a housing comprising a plate 182 and a
`shell 184 closely conforming to the exterior of the socket
`170 is mounted with screws 186 around the assembled ball
`
`172 and socket 170. The plate 182 is then fastened with
`screws (such as the screw 188) to the back of the display
`152. A fiat 190 formed at the top of the socket 170 seats
`against a corresponding flat 192 in the shell 184 to prevent
`rotation of the socket 170 relative to the display 152. The
`shaft 174 is terminated with a plug 194 with a tapering
`square transverse cross-section and with a central threaded
`hole 196. As apparent
`in FIG. 19,
`the arm 162 has a
`connector, specifically, a socket 198 which conforms in
`shape to and interlocks with the plug 194 to support the
`display 152 and to prevent rotation of the display 152. The
`socket 198 is arranged on the arm 162 to receive the plug
`194 in two distinct relative angular orientations spaced by 90
`degrees, one in which the lengthwise axis of the display 152
`is aligned with the length of the arm 162 (as in FIG. 18
`where the arm 162 is horizontal) and another in which the
`lengthwise axis is perpendicular to the length of the arm 162
`(as in FIG. 17 where the arm 162 is vertical). A bolt 200
`(shown in FIG. 19) inserts through the socket 198 into the
`plug 194 to prevent separation.
`The other display 154 is mounted to the arm 162 in a
`manner permitting adjustment of the spacing between the
`displays 152, 154. The connector 166 associated with the
`other display 154 is identical to the connector 164. The arm
`162 has a pair of sockets 202, 204 identical to the socket 198
`but mounted in an opposing end portion of the arm 162. The
`two sockets 202, 204 are axially spaced along the arm 162,
`one socket 204 located substantially at one end of the arm
`162 and the other socket 202, inset from that end. Both
`sockets 202, 204 are shaped to interlock with the connector
`166 to prevent relative rotation and to permit the lengthwise
`axis of the display 154 to be aligned with or oriented
`perpendicular to the length of the arm 162 according to
`whether the arm 162 is horizontally or vertically oriented.
`The connectors used to join the arm 162 to the upright 158
`are apparent in FIG. 19. The upright 158 has a socket 206
`with a tapered square chamber aligned with a circular
`cylindrical chamber. The arm 162 carries a plug 208 which
`has a tapered square section and a circular cylindrical
`section, conforming to the socket 206. The socket 206
`receives the plug 208 in two distinct relative angular orien-
`tations spaced by 90 degrees, which correspond to vertical
`and horizontal orientations of the arm 162. Abolt 210 inserts
`
`through a clearance hole (not illustrated) in the rear of the
`socket 206 and threads into the plug 208 to prevent relative
`axial separation of the socket 206 and plug 208.
`How the display system 150 is used will be largely
`apparent from the foregoing description of its components.
`If the displays 152, 154 are to be horizontally registered (as
`in FIG. 18), the arm 162 is mounted to the upright 158 in a
`horizontal position, and the displays 152, 154 are mounted
`to the arm 162 with their lengthwise axes aligned with the
`length of the arm 162. The display 152 is mounted to the
`socket 204 at the end of the arm 162 to increase the spacing
`between the displays, accommodating their horizontal elon-
`gation. If the displays 152, 154 are to be vertically registered
`(as in FIG. 17), the arm 162 is mounted to the upright 158
`in a vertical position, and the displays 152, 154 are mounted
`to the arm 162 with their lengthwise axes perpendicular to
`
`10
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`15
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`20
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`25
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`30
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`35
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`40
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`45
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`50
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`55
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`60
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`65
`
`8
`the length of the arm 162. The spacing between the displays
`152, 154 is reduced by mounting the display 152 is mounted
`to the socket 202 inset from the end of the arm 162.
`
`The display 152 may be mounted appropriate connection
`means that permit
`the display 152 for sliding between
`various axially spaced-apart positions along the arm 162.
`However, twin sockets 202, 204 are simple, adequate and
`comparatively inexpensive. Another alternative is to provide
`an arm assembly comprising two interchangeable arms of
`different
`length. Each arm may carry a pair of sockets
`(substantially identical to the socket 198) for mounting of
`the displays 152, 154 at opposing ends of the arm. Each arm
`may be fitted with a connector comparable to the plug 208
`for mounting to the upright 158. The short armer may be
`mounted to the upright 158 in a vertical position for vertical
`registration of the displays 152, 154, and the longer arm may
`be mounted to the upright 158 in a horizontal orientation for
`mounting for horizontal registration of the displays 152,
`154.
`
`It will be appreciated that particular embodiments of the
`invention have been described and that modifications may
`be made therein without departing from the spirit of the
`invention or necessarily departing from the scope of the
`appended claims.
`I claim:
`
`1. A display system comprising:
`a base;
`a pair of electronic displays, each of the displays having
`an operative angular orientation relative to horizontal;
`positioning means for positioning the displays selectively
`in vertically registered relationship and in horizontally
`registered relationship, the positioning means compris-
`mg:
`(a) an arm assembly supporting the displays;
`(b) support means for supporting the arm assembly
`from the base selectively in a first orientation relative
`to the base in which the displays are in their verti-
`cally registered relationship and in a second orien-
`tation in which the displays are in their horizontally
`registered relationship; and,
`(c) mounting means for mounting the displays to the
`arm assembly,
`the mounting means comprising
`means for adjusting the angular orientation of each
`of the displays relative to the arm assembly thereby
`to orient each of the displays in its operative angular
`orientation when the arm assembly is in either one of
`its first and second orientations.
`
`2. The display system of claim 1 in which:
`the support means support the arm assembly for rotation
`about a generally horizontal axis; and,
`the mounting means mount each of the displays to the arm
`assembly for relative rotation about a rotational axis
`substantially parallel to the generally horizontal axis.
`3. The display system of claim 2 in which:
`the support means comprise means for releasably locking
`the arm assembly to the base in its first and second
`orientations; and,
`the mounting means comprise means permitting rotation
`of each of the electronic displays only between a pair
`of extreme angular positions relative to the arm
`assembly, each of the angular positions corresponding
`to a different one of the first and second orientations of
`
`the arm assembly such that the display is oriented in its
`operative angular orientation whenever the arm assem-
`bly is locked to the base in either of the first and second
`positions and the display is rotated to its corresponding
`angular position.
`
`

`
`Re. 36,978
`
`9
`4. The display system of claim 3 in which the mounting
`means comprise:
`a shaft fixed to one of the display