Flat panel monitor support arm

Abstract

A support arm for components such as flat screen monitors. In one embodiment, the support arm includes rigid arm segment and a flexible arm segment. The flexible arm segment may be mounted adjacent to the supported component. The flexible arm segment includes a plurality of flexible tubes, each having a core surrounding by a filling material and a flexible coiled tube. Preferably, at least one of the flexible tubes is fixed at both ends while at least one of the flexible tubes includes a free floating end that is permitted to move longitudinally with respect to the fixed tube as the flexible arm is moved.

1 . A support arm comprising: 
 a base having a mounting means for mounting said base to a mounting structure;    a rigid arm segment;    a flexible arm segment, said rigid arm segment and said flexible arm segment being connected to one another, said interconnected segments having a first end and a second end, said first end being connected to said base; and    a component mount connected to said second end of said interconnected segments.    
     
     
         2 . The support arm of  claim 1  wherein said flexible arm segment includes a plurality of discrete flexible tubes extending substantially parallel to one another.  
     
     
         3 . The support arm of  claim 2  wherein each of said plurality of flexible tubes includes a first end and a second end, at least one of said flexible tubes including a fixed first end and a fixed second end, at least one of said flexible tubes including a free floating first end.  
     
     
         4 . The support arm of  claim 3  further comprising a joint interconnecting said rigid arm segment and said flexible arm segment.  
     
     
         5 . The support arm of  claim 4  wherein said joint includes a locking mechanism for selectively locking said joint in a desired position.  
     
     
         6 . The support arm of  claim 3  further comprising a joint disposed between said interconnected segments and said component mount.  
     
     
         7 . The support arm of  claim 1  wherein said flexible arm segment includes at least one flexible tube, said flexible tube including a core, a flexible casing surrounding said core in a spaced apart relationship to define a void, and a filler material substantially filling said void.  
     
     
         8 . The support arm of  claim 7  wherein said core is a solid metal round stock.  
     
     
         9 . The support arm of  claim 8  wherein said filling material is a silicone caulk.  
     
     
         10 . The support arm of  claim 9  wherein said casing is a flexible coiled steel tube.  
     
     
         11 . The support arm of  claim 5  wherein said rigid arm segment is secured to said base and said flexible arm segment is secured to said component mount.  
     
     
         12 . The support arm of  claim 1  further comprising a second rigid arm segment, a second flexible arm segment and a second component mount; and 
 wherein said second rigid arm segment, said second flexible arm segment and said second component mount are connected to said base.    
     
     
         13 . A support arm comprising: 
 a mounting base;    a first arm segment mounted to said base;    a second arm segment mounted to said first arm segment opposite said base; and    a component mount connected to said second arm segment,    wherein at least one of said first arm segment and said second arm second is a flexible arm segment.    
     
     
         14 . The support arm of  claim 13  wherein said flexible arm segment includes a plurality of discrete flexible tubes extending substantially parallel to one another.  
     
     
         15 . The support arm of  claim 13  wherein each of said plurality of flexible tubes includes a first end and a second end, at least one of said flexible tubes is a fixed tube including a fixed first end and a fixed second end, at least one of said flexible tubes is a floating tube having at least one free floating end.  
     
     
         16 . The support arm of  claim 15  wherein at least one of said plurality of flexible tubes includes a core, a casing surrounding said core in a spaced relationship to define a void between said core and said casing, and a filling material substantially filling said void.  
     
     
         17 . The support arm of  claim 14  wherein said first arm segment is connected to said second arm segment by a first joint, said first joint permit pivotal movement between said first arm segment and said second arm segment in at least one direction.  
     
     
         18 . The support arm of  claim 17  wherein said second arm segment is connected to said component mount by a second joint, said second joint permit pivotal movement between said first arm segment and said second arm segment in at least one direction.  
     
     
         19 . The support arm of  claim 18  wherein said flexible arm segment is further defined as said second arm segment.  
     
     
         20 . The support arm of  claim 19  wherein said fixed tube and said floating tube are vertically offset from one another.  
     
     
         21 . The support arm of  claim 13  further comprising a third arm segment, a fourth arm segment and a second component mount; and 
 wherein said second third arm segment, said fourth arm segment and said second component mount are connected to said base and to one another to provide a support for a second component.    
     
     
         22 . A support arm comprising: 
 a mounting base;    a flexible arm segment mounted to said base, said flexible arm segment including a plurality of discrete flexible tubes extending substantially parallel to one another; and    a component mount connected to said arm segment.    
     
     
         23 . The support arm of  claim 22  wherein each of said plurality of flexible tubes includes a first end and a second end, at least one of said flexible tubes is a fixed tube including a fixed first end and a fixed second end, at least one of said flexible tubes is a floating tube having at least one free floating end.  
     
     
         24 . The support arm of  claim 23  wherein at least one of said plurality of flexible tubes includes a core, a casing surrounding said core in a spaced relationship to define a void between said core and said casing, and a filling material substantially filling said void.  
     
     
         25 . A support arm comprising: 
 a mounting base;    a flexible arm segment mounted to said base, said flexible arm segment including a core, a casing surrounding said core in a spaced relationship to define a void between said core and said casing, and a filling material substantially filling said void; and    a component mount connected to said arm segment.    
     
     
         26 . The support arm of  claim 25  wherein said flexible arm segment includes a plurality of discrete flexible tubes extending substantially parallel to one another.  
     
     
         27 . The support arm of  claim 26  wherein each of said plurality of flexible tubes includes a first end and a second end, at least one of said flexible tubes is a fixed tube including a fixed first end and a fixed second end, at least one of said flexible tubes is a floating tube having at least one free floating end.