Arm apparatus for mounting electronic devices

Abstract

An extension arm suitable for mounting a flat-screen electronic peripheral device, including a forearm extension having at one end a first coupling for attachment to a tilter, a platform or other means for supporting a flat-screen device and at the other end a second coupling. The extension arm also includes a pair of end caps, each having a shaft. The shaft of the first end cap is pivotably rotatable in a support mount, such as a wall, desk or pole mount. The shaft of the second end cap is pivotably rotatable in the second coupling of the forearm extension. The extension arm also includes an upper channel and a lower channel. Each channel has at opposite ends a pair of integrally cast rollers which are pivotably attached to each of the end caps. The upper and lower channels and the end caps form an adjustable parallelogram

1 . A method of forming by integral casting an extension arm that adjustably mounts a device to a support, said method comprising integrally casting as one piece an upper channel having integrally cast therewith rollers at each end thereof;
 integrally casting as one piece a lower channel having integrally cast therewith rollers at each end thereof;   integrally casting as one piece a first end cap;   providing a clevis having a fastening member;   integrally casting as one piece a second end cap;   integrally casting as one piece a forearm extension having a body, a first end for connecting to the second end cap and a second end adapted for connecting to the device;   connecting one end of a gas spring to the upper channel and a second end of the gas spring to the fastening member of the clevis;   attaching the upper channel, the lower channel, the first end cap and the second end cap to form a parallelogram;   and connecting the first end of the forearm extension to the second end cap.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said first and second end caps are substantially identical. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said integrally casting said second end cap includes casting a partially enclosed housing having a first endwall, a second endwall and at least one sidewall. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , further including forming a shaft connected to said second endwall. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said integrally casting said first end cap includes casting a partially enclosed housing having a first endwall, a second endwall and at least one sidewall. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , further including forming a shaft connected to said first endwall. 
     
     
         7 . A method of forming by integrally casting an extension arm that adjustably mounts a device to a support, said method comprising integrally casting as one piece an upper channel including a U-shaped body having integrally cast therewith a roller at each end thereof, said U-shaped body having a bottom wall formed with a hole contained therein;
 integrally casting as one piece a lower channel including a U-shaped body having integrally cast therewith a roller at each end thereof;   integrally casting as one piece a first end cap;   providing a first shaft connected to said first end cap;   providing a clevis having a fastening member; integrally casting as one piece a second end cap;   providing a second shaft connected to said second cap;   integrally casting as one piece a forearm extension having a body and a shaft coupling for connecting to the second end cap;   mounting a ball stud in the hole of the upper channel;   connecting one end of a gas spring to the ball stud and a second end of the gas spring to the fastening member of the clevis;   attaching the upper channel, the lower channel, the first end cap and the second end cap to form a parallelogram;   and connecting the shaft coupling of the forearm extension to the second end cap.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said integrally casting as one piece said forearm extension comprises casting said forearm extension having a U-shaped body. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said first and second end caps are identical. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said integrally casting as one piece said second end cap includes casting a partially enclosed housing having a first endwall, a second endwall and at least one sidewall. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said integrally casting said first end cap includes casting a partially enclosed housing having a first endwall, a second endwall and at least one sidewall