Multiple flat panel display system

Abstract

A multiple display apparatus includes a hub capable of supporting a variable number of display support members and at least two support members coupled to the support hub. The apparatus is expandable to provide a plurality of displays and support members on the hub. Mounting brackets are respectively associated with the members to secure flat panel displays to the apparatus.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A multiple display apparatus, comprising: 
 a hub capable of supporting a variable number display support members;    at least two support members coupled to the support hub; and    at least two mounting brackets respectively associated with said at least two support members.    
     
     
         2 . The display apparatus of  claim 1  further including at least two flat-panel displays respectively mounted on said support members by said at least two mounting brackets.  
     
     
         3 . The multiple display apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said hub comprises a hub including a plurality of bores.  
     
     
         4 . The display apparatus of  claim 3  wherein said plurality of bores equals two bores.  
     
     
         5 . The display apparatus of  claim 3  wherein said plurality of bores equals three bores.  
     
     
         6 . The display apparatus of  claim 3  wherein said plurality of bores equals six bores.  
     
     
         7 . The display apparatus of  claim 3  wherein said plurality of bores equals nine bores.  
     
     
         8 . The display apparatus of  claim 3  wherein said plurality of bores equals ten bores.  
     
     
         9 . The display apparatus of  claim 3  wherein said plurality of bores are drilled into a solid hub.  
     
     
         10 . The display apparatus of  claim 3  wherein said plurality of bores are cast.  
     
     
         11 . The display apparatus of  claim 3  wherein said plurality of bores is provided in a fixed structure.  
     
     
         12 . The display apparatus of  claim 4  wherein said structure is a desk.  
     
     
         13 . The display apparatus of  claim 4  wherein said structure is a wall.  
     
     
         14 . The display apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said hub includes modular pods, each pod having a plurality of bores therein and being capable of coupling to others of said pods.  
     
     
         15 . The display apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said hub is fixed to a wall.  
     
     
         16 . The display apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said hub includes an integrated component device.  
     
     
         17 . The display apparatus of  claim 1  wherein each said support member comprises an articulating arm having a first end supporting said mounting bracket and a second end coupled to said hub.  
     
     
         18 . The display apparatus of  claim 17  wherein each arm includes an upper arm, a lower arm, an elbow joint and an end joint.  
     
     
         19 . The display apparatus of  claim 18  wherein the upper arm and lower arm are coupled by the elbow joint, and the upper arm and lower arm are rotatable with respect to each other by 360° with respect to said elbow joint.  
     
     
         20 . The display apparatus of  claim 18  wherein the articulating arm is rotatable about the end joint by 360°.  
     
     
         21 . The display apparatus of  claim 18  wherein the articulating arm is hollow to allow cabling to pass there through.  
     
     
         22 . The display apparatus of  claim 18  wherein the articulating arm is solid.  
     
     
         23 . The display apparatus of  claim 17  wherein said mounting bracket is slidably attached to said support member.  
     
     
         24 . The display apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said mounting bracket has at least two axes of rotational motion relative to said support member.  
     
     
         25 . The display apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said support member includes integrated video cabling.  
     
     
         26 . The display apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said mounting bracket includes a plate compatible with VESA mounting standards.  
     
     
         27 . An expandable display mounting apparatus, comprising: 
 a hub including a plurality of bores formed therein;    a plurality of arm assemblies having an end joint provided in said one of said plurality of bores and a second end capable of coupling to a display panel.    
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 27  further including a mounting bracket provided on said second end of said arm.  
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 28  wherein said arm assembly rotates about said end joint with 360° of motion about a first axis.  
     
     
         30 . The apparatus of  claim 29  wherein said mounting bracket rotates about three axes.  
     
     
         31 . The apparatus of  claim 29  wherein said mounting bracket slides along said arm assembly.  
     
     
         32 . The apparatus of  claim 27  wherein said hub includes a body and support legs.  
     
     
         33 . The apparatus of  claim 32  wherein said hub body is cast to include said bores.  
     
     
         34 . The apparatus of  claim 27  wherein said arm assemblies include a cabling region allowing display connection cabling to be positioned therein.  
     
     
         35 . The apparatus of  claim 27  wherein said arm assemblies included integrated display connections.  
     
     
         36 . The apparatus of  claim 27  wherein said hub includes an integrated speaker.  
     
     
         37 . A multiple display apparatus, comprising: 
 a hub having a plurality of bores provided therein;    at least two articulating arms comprising a first member and a second member, the first member including a bore mount and the second member including a display mount; and    at least two displays, one of said at least two displays coupled to one of said at least two articulating arms at said display mount.    
     
     
         38 . The apparatus of  claim 37  further including a vertical support tube supporting a third display.  
     
     
         39 . The apparatus of  claim 37  further including at least six articulating arms and six displays.  
     
     
         40 . The apparatus of  claim 37  further including at least nine articulating arms and nine displays.  
     
     
         41 . An apparatus, comprising: 
 support means for movably coupling a flat-panel display and positioning said display in three axes of motion; and    a hub unit including means for supporting a variable number of support means.    
     
     
         42 . The apparatus of  claim 41  wherein the hub unit includes means for supporting at least two support means.  
     
     
         43 . The apparatus of  claim 41  wherein the hub unit includes means for supporting at least three support means.  
     
     
         44 . The apparatus of  claim 41  wherein the hub unit includes means for supporting at least six support means.  
     
     
         45 . The apparatus of  claim 41  wherein the hub unit includes means for supporting at least nine support means.