Ratcheted pivot

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention is for a pivot, and more particularly, pertains to a pivot incorporating a ratchet for reduced force operation about the pivot

[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0005] Prior art pivot devices which support a load about a horizontal pivot axis often provided frictional schemes which required substantial amounts of force to rotate or lift a load in the upward position where a large amount of friction must first be overcome before ascent of the payload was possible.

[0006] The present invention provides a ratcheted pivot which overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art by providing a ratcheted pivot which provides a free-wheeling or reduced friction action when the payload is moving upward but maintains full friction control when the payload is moved downward.

[0007] The general purpose of the present invention is a ratcheted pivot.

[0008] According to an embodiment of the present invention there is provided a ratcheted pivot which dramatically reduces the effort or force required to move a friction controlled payload in the upward direction.

[0009] One significant aspect and feature of the present invention is a ratcheted pivot which is easy to operate in an upward mode without having to overcome excessive friction.

[0010] Another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is a ratchet pawl engaging ratchet disks to support a load.

[0011] Another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is the use of small and large areas of frictional contact.

[0012] Another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is to provide desired frictional control in either direction and thus provide payload stability in any position.

[0013] Having thus described an embodiment of the present invention it is the primary objective hereof to provide a ratcheted pivot.

[0014] Other objects of the present invention and many of the attendant advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the figures thereof and wherein:

[0015] FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric view of a ratcheted pivot;

[0016] FIG. 2 illustrates a semi-exploded isometric view of the ratcheted pivot;

[0017] FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded isometric view of the ratcheted pivot;

[0018] FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of the ratcheted pivot; and,

[0019] FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of the ratcheted pivot along line 5—5 of FIG. 4 with the left outer angled bracket removed.

[0020] FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric view of a ratcheted pivot 10, the present invention. Fully or partially visible components visible in the illustration include a mounting plate 12 having a plurality of mounting holes 13a-13n, a spring plate 14 aligned to the mounting plate 12, a left outer angled bracket 16 aligned to a portion of the spring plate 14 and having a mounting tab 18 and a rounded planar pivot tab 20 extending at a right angle from the mounting tab 18, a right outer angled bracket 22 aligned to a portion of the spring plate 14 and having a mounting tab 24 and a rounded planar pivot tab 26 extending at a right angle from the mounting tab 24, a left inner angled bracket 28 having a mounting tab 30 and a rounded planar pivot tab 32 extending at a right angle from the mounting tab 30, a right inner angled bracket 34 juxtaposing the left inner angled bracket 28 having a mounting tab 36 and a rounded planar pivot tab 38 extending at a right angle from the mounting tab 36, a left ratchet disk 40 and other components not visible located between the rounded planar pivot tab 20 of the left outer angled bracket 16 and the rounded planar pivot tab 32 of the left inner angled bracket 28, a right ratchet disk 42 and other components not visible located between the rounded planar pivot tab 38 of the right inner angled bracket 34 and the rounded planar pivot tab 26 of the right outer angled bracket 22. As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, pluralities of holes are utilized in the left and right outer angled brackets 16 and 22, in the spring plate 14 and in the mounting plate 12 for mutual securing by appropriate hardware. A pivot bolt 44 extends through the left and right outer angled brackets 16 and 22, the left and right inner angled brackets 28 and 34, the left and right ratchet disks 40 and 42 and through other components, as later illustrated in detail, and is secured by a nut 46.

[0021] FIG. 2 illustrates a semi-exploded isometric view of the ratcheted pivot 10, where all numerals mentioned before correspond to those elements previously described. Illustrated in particular is the spring plate 14 which interfaces with the left and right ratchet disks 40 and 42, as shown later in detail. A spring 48, which is curved and which includes a pawl 50 at its end and which is centrally located, extends from the planar region of the spring plate 14.

[0022] FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded isometric view of the ratcheted pivot 10, where all numerals mentioned before correspond to those elements previously described. Illustrated in particular are the components aligned between the left inner angled bracket 28 and the left outer angled bracket 16, as well as like and corresponding components mirroring those components which align between the right inner angled bracket 34 and the right outer angled bracket 22. Aligned between the left inner angled bracket 28 and the left outer angled bracket 16, are a large UHMWPE (ultra high molecular weight polyethylene) disk 52, the left ratchet disk 40, a Belleville washer 54, and a UHMWPE disk 56 being of lesser diameter than the UHMWPE disk 52. Aligned between the right inner angled bracket 34 and the right outer angled bracket 22 are a large UHMWPE disk 58, the right ratchet disk 42, a Belleville washer 60, and a UHMWPE disk 62 being of lesser diameter than the UHMWPE disk 58. Pivot bolt 44 aligns through centrally located holes in the left and right UHMWPE disks 52 and 58, left and right ratchet disks 40 and 42, Belleville washers 54 and 60, UHMWPE disks 56 and 62 and through holes in the rounded planar pivot tabs 20, 32, 38 and 26 of the left outer angled bracket 16, the left inner angled bracket 28, the right inner angled bracket 34 and the right outer angled bracket 22, respectively, and engages the nut 46 which is tightened to apply pressure across the assembly shown in FIG. 4.

[0023] FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of the ratcheted pivot 10, where all numerals mentioned before correspond to those elements previously described. Pawl 50 extending from the spring 48 is shown engaging the teeth of the opposing left and right ratchet disks 40 and 42.

[0024] FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of the ratcheted pivot 10 along line 5—5 of FIG. 4 with the left outer angled bracket 16 removed. Illustrated in particular is the pawl 50 of spring 48 engaging the teeth 64a-64nof the left ratchet disk 40, as well as engaging the teeth 66a-66nof the right ratchet disk 42 (not illustrated). The spring 48 and pawl 50 offer non-impeded rotation of the left and right rounded planar pivot tabs 20 and 26 in a clockwise direction about the horizontal pivot axis, as represented by the pivot bolt 44. Also shown is one end of a mounting structure 68 utilized to support the ratcheted pivot 10 and a load attached thereto.

[0025] The operation of the ratcheted pivot 10 provides for rotation of a monitor of other device which secures to the mounting plate 12 about the horizontal axis described by the pivot bolt 44. Rotation is made about the horizontal axis to rotatingly position the mounting plate 12 to gain a desired angle of adjustment suitable for use with the load provided by the monitor or other device supported by the ratcheted pivot 10. Movement and rotation in two directions are provided for. Pivot bolt 44 and nut 46 are tightened across the assembled components of the ratcheted pivot 10 to provide suitable friction to stabilize the ratcheted pivot 10 and the load attached to the mounting plate 12 to prevent the ratcheted pivot 10 and attached load from weight induced rotation about the pivot bolt 44. Friction is applied across the ratcheted pivot 10 in general to bring together components in repositional frictional engagement having relatively small or relatively large areas of contact. An area of large contact is provided by the left and right ratchet disks 40 and 42 which forcibly contact the adjoining UHMWPE washers 52 and 58 and the Belleville washers 54 and 60. An area of small contact is provided by that of the UHMWPE washers 56 and 62 which forcibly contact the adjoining Belleville washers 54 and 60 and the rounded planar pivot tabs 20 and 26, respectively. Due to the small areas of contact, relatively little effort is required to overcome the friction therein to rotate and position the mounting plate 12 and load in a clockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 1 or FIG. 5. Once the friction at the small area is overcome, an effort just slightly exceeding the weight of the load must be incorporated for repositioning. During this rotation, the pawl 50 at the end of the spring 48 bypasses secure engagement with the teeth 64a-64nand 66a-66nof the left and right ratchet disks 40 and 42 until the desired position is reached at which point pawl 50 engages teeth 64a-64nand 66a-66nin a secure fashion to prevent reverse rotation of the mounting plate 12, the left and right outer angled brackets 16 and 22 and the attached load to provide secured rotational positioning in the upward direction. The area of large contact area of the left and right ratchet disks 40 and 42 to which the pawl 50 is engaged provides for sufficient frictional holding power to retain the load in the desired position. Rotational repositioning and lowering of the load in a counterclockwise fashion, as viewed in FIG. 1 or FIG. 5, is accomplished by incorporating the weight of the load in addition to manual urging to overcome the large areas of contact adjoining the left and right ratchet disks 40 and 42. The downward force is transferred from the manually actuated mounting plate 12 (and load) to the spring 48 which, in engagement with the left and right ratchet disks 40 and 42, transfers force to the left and right ratchet disks 40 and 42 to cause them to overcome the area of large friction to cause downward and rotational repositioning of the left and right outer angled brackets 16 and 22.

[0026] It can be appreciated that almost infinitesimal positionings of the ratcheted pivot 10 and its load, which could include a flat panel display, are available, and that the position of the load, which is adjustable, would be retained in the position selected by the user. If the user wishes to tiltingly display the load upwardly or downwardly, the load must be manually repositioned to overcome the friction imposed by the ratcheted pivot 10. Once the load (display) is moved to a different position, the unique tilt restraining devices inherent in the ratcheted pivot 10 will suitably restrain the load in the new position as selected. Sufficient friction to maintain position of the load during use is provided but allows easy “breakaway” release to reposition the load to a new operating position. The unique characteristics of the polymer UHMWPE disks 56, 52, 58 and 62 combined with the pressure supplied by the Belleville washers 54 and 60 allow smooth adjustment of the load and yet provide a constant frictional memory for the present position of the load in conjunction with the ratchet disks 40 and 42 in conjunction with the spring 48 and pawl 50.

[0027] Various modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from the apparent scope hereof.