Rotatable Link

Abstract

The present invention relates to a rotatable link for use for a plate/mounting head on which a piece of hardware, such as a card terminal or tablet, may be secured. The rotatable link comprises a body section, a base section, a rotation disc, and a first fastener. The body section may be of different form and functionality.

Claims

1. A rotatable link (100) comprising a body section (200), a base section (300), a rotation disc (400), and a first fastener (500); wherein the base section (300) comprises: a) a base unit (310) with a cable channel (312) at least partly formed therein; b) an elongated member (320) with a first end (322) attached to the base unit (310), and with a second end (324) configured to be removably received by the first fastener (500); and c) a rotation limiting channel (330) configured for rotatably engaging with a stop pin (430) of the rotation disc (400); wherein the rotation disc (400) comprises: a) a channel (410) configured for rotatably engaging with the elongated member (320) of the base section (300); b) a cable channel (420) in communication with the cable channel (312) of the base unit (310); and c) a stop pin (430) with a first end (432) attached to the rotation disc (400).

2. A rotatable link (100) according to claim 1, wherein the body section (200) comprises a base part (210), a rotation ring (220), a body part (230), and a second fastener (240); wherein the base part (210) comprises: a) a base unit (212) with a cable channel (213) at least partly formed therein; b) an elongated member (214) with a first end (215) attached to the base unit (212), and with a second end (216) configured to be removably received by the second fastener (240); and c) a stop pin (218) with a first end (219) attached to the base unit (212); wherein the body part (230) comprises a bottom part (232) configured for rotatably engaging with the rotation ring (220); wherein the bottom part (232) of the body part (230) comprises: a) a channel (233) configured for rotatably engaging with the elongated member (214) of the base unit (212); b) a cable channel (234) in communication with both the cable channel (213) of the base part base unit (212) and the cable channel (312) of the base section base unit (310); and c) a rotation limiting channel (235) configured for rotatably engaging with the stop pin (218) of the base unit (212).

3. A rotatable link (100) according to claim 1, further comprising a mounting head (600), wherein the mounting head (600) comprises a channel configured for rotatably engaging with the elongated member (320) of the base section (300).

4. A rotatable link (100) according to claim 1, further comprising a mounting head (600), wherein the mounting head (600) comprises a cable channel (620) in communication with the cable channel (420) of the rotation disc (400).

5. A rotatable link (100) according to claim 1, wherein the first fastener (500) and/or the second fastener (240) comprises a spring washer system (510/242) and a lock nut (520/244).

6. A rotatable link (100) according to claim 1, wherein a part of the body section (200) is configured as an angled tube.

7. A rotatable link (100) according to claim 2, wherein a part of the body part (230) is configured as an angled tube.

8. A rotatable link (100) according to claim 1, wherein the elongated member (320) of the base section (300) is positioned at the center of the base unit (310).

9. A rotatable link (100) according to claim 1, wherein the body part (230) comprises a tilt insert (236) and a tilt part (237); wherein the tilt insert (236) faces the bottom part (232) of the body part (230); wherein the tilt insert (236) tiltably supports the tilt part (237), and the tilt part (237) being tiltably mounted on the tilt insert (236); wherein the tilt insert (236) comprises a channel (238) configured for rotatably engaging with the elongated member (214) of the base part (210); wherein the tilt part (237) comprises a channel (239) configured for rotatably and tiltably engaging with the elongated member (214) of the base part (210).

10. A rotatable link (100) according to claim 1, wherein the body part (230) comprises a tilt insert (236) and a tilt part (237); wherein the tilt insert (236) faces the bottom part (232) of the body part (230); wherein the tilt insert (236) comprises a channel (238) configured for rotatably engaging with the elongated member (214) of the base part (210); wherein the tilt part (237) comprises a channel (239) configured for rotatably and tiltably engaging with the elongated member (214) of the base part (210); wherein the tilt insert (236) has a first surface side and a second surface side; wherein the first surface side is opposite to the second surface side; wherein the first surface side is a curved convex surface tiltably supporting the tilt part (237); wherein the tilt part (237) has a first surface side and a second surface side; wherein the first surface side is opposite to the second surface side; wherein the second surface side is a curved concave surface configured for tiltably mounting and sliding on the first surface side of the tilt insert (236).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0105] FIG. 1 shows the general scheme of the invention in relation to the rotary movements in exploded view;

[0106] FIG. 2 shows the body section in accordance with various embodiments of the invention in exploded view;

[0107] FIG. 3 shows a bottom view of the body part in accordance with various embodiments of the invention;

[0108] FIG. 4A shows an assembled version of a rotatable link with fixed tilt.

[0109] FIG. 4B shows a cross-section of FIG. 4A;

[0110] FIG. 4C shows an assembled version of a rotatable link with fixed tilt, and with the functionality of rotary movement along the plane of the plate secured to the link. FIG. 4D shows a cross-section of an assembled version of the base section, the rotation disc, and the first fastener;

[0111] FIG. 5 shows the base section, the rotation disc, and the first fastener in exploded view;

[0112] FIG. 6 shows a rotatable link further comprising a mounting head;

[0113] FIG. 7 shows the general scheme of the invention in relation to the rotary movements, as well as up-and-down movement, in exploded view;

[0114] FIG. 8A shows an assembled version of a rotatable link with tilt function.

[0115] FIG. 8B shows a cross-section of FIG. 8A;

[0116] FIG. 8D shows an assembled version of a rotatable link with tilt function, and with the functionality of rotary movement along the plane of the plate secured to the link; and

[0117] FIG. 8C shows a tilt part comprising a channel configured for rotatably and tiltably engaging with the elongated member of the base part.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0118] It is an object of the present invention to provide a compact rotatable link, which may e.g. be incorporated in an upright, for use for a plate/mounting head on which a piece of hardware, such as a card terminal or tablet, may be secured. The plate should be moved by hand in a rotary movement along the plane of the plate (for portrait-landscape views on the tablet), but should preferably also be moved by hand in a sideways movement, as well as in an up-and-down movement for optimal positioning.

[0119] Referring to FIG. 1, the general scheme of the invention is shown in relation to the rotary movements in exploded view. The up-and-down movement is here restricted to a fixed tilt of about 30 degrees.

[0120] FIG. 1 shows a rotatable link 100 comprising a body section 200, a base section 300, a rotation disc 400, and a first fastener 500. The base section 300 and the rotation disc 400, and the first fastener 500 allow for rotary movement along the plane of the plate secured to the link. A separate view of these elements is shown in FIG. 5.

[0121] The base section 300 comprises a base unit 310 with a cable channel 312 at least partly formed therein.

[0122] The base section 300 also comprises an elongated member 320 with a first end attached to the base unit 310, and with a second end configured to be removably received by the first fastener 500.

[0123] The base section 300 further comprises a rotation limiting channel 330 configured for rotatably engaging with a stop pin 430 of the rotation disc 400.

[0124] The rotation disc 400 comprises a channel 410 configured for rotatably engaging with the elongated member 320 of the base section 300.

[0125] The rotation disc 400 also comprises a cable channel 420 in communication with the cable channel 312 of the base unit 310.

[0126] The rotation disc 400 further comprises a stop pin 430 with a first end attached to the rotation disc 400.

[0127] In FIG. 1, the body section 200 is shown comprising a base part 210, a rotation ring 220, a body part 230, and a second fastener 240. This combination of elements allows for rotation of the link in a sideways movement.

[0128] The base part 210 (FIG. 2) comprises a base unit 212 with a cable channel 213 at least partly formed therein.

[0129] The base part 210 also comprises an elongated member 214 with a first end 215 attached to the base unit 212, and with a second end 216 configured to be removably received by the second fastener 240.

[0130] The base part 210 further comprises a stop pin 218 with a first end 219 attached to the base unit 212.

[0131] The body part 230 comprises a bottom part 232 (FIG. 3) configured for rotatably engaging with the rotation ring 220.

[0132] The bottom part 232 (FIG. 3) of the body part 230 comprises a channel 233 configured for rotatably engaging with the elongated member 214 of the base unit (212).

[0133] The bottom part 232 also comprises a cable channel 234 in communication with both the cable channel 213 of the base part base unit 212 and the cable channel 312 of the base section base unit 310.

[0134] The bottom part 232 further comprises a rotation limiting channel 235 configured for rotatably engaging with the stop pin 218 of the base unit 212.

[0135] FIG. 4A shows an assembled version of a rotatable link with fixed tilt. FIG. 4B shows a cross-section of FIG. 4A.

[0136] FIG. 4C shows an assembled version of a rotatable link with fixed tilt, and with the functionality of rotary movement along the plane of the plate secured to the link. FIG. 4D shows a cross-section of an assembled version of the base section 300, the rotation disc 400, and the first fastener 500.

[0137] In FIG. 6, a rotatable link is shown further comprising a mounting head 600. The mounting head 600 comprises a cable channel 620 in communication with the cable channel 420 of the rotation disc 400.

[0138] Referring to FIG. 7, the general scheme of the invention is shown in relation to the rotary movements, as well as up-and-down movement, in exploded view.

[0139] FIG. 7 shows a rotatable link, where the body part 230 comprises a tilt insert 236 and a tilt part 237, and where the tilt insert 236 faces the bottom part 232 of the body part 230.

[0140] The tilt insert 236 tiltably supports the tilt part 237, and the tilt part 237 is tiltably mounted on the tilt insert 236.

[0141] The tilt insert 236 also comprises a channel 238 configured for rotatably engaging with the elongated member 214 of the base part 210.

[0142] The tilt part 237 comprises a channel 239 configured for rotatably and tiltably engaging with the elongated member 214 of the base part 210 (FIG. 8C). Thereby, the tilt part 237 is capable of tilting relative to the other components that are only able to rotate around the elongated member 214. The tilt part 237 also comprises a cable channel 231.

[0143] In FIG. 5, a washer system 510 is positioned between the base section and the rotation disc to reduce the friction between the two components. The washer system comprises two soft metal or metal alloy (e.g. bronze) spring washers.

[0144] The inventors have prepared a special fastener suitable for both rotation and tilting operations. The second fastener 240 comprises a spring washer system 242 and a lock nut 244 (FIG. 2). The second fastener 240 is shown (from bottom to top of the link) with a curved washer, a hard metal (e.g. steel) spring washer, two soft metal or metal alloy (e.g. bronze) spring washers, a soft metal or metal alloy spring lock washer (e.g. bronze), and a lock nut 244.

[0145] The curved washer is configured for slideably engaging with the part of the first surface side of the tilt part 237 comprising the channel 238 configured for rotatably and tiltably engaging with the elongated member 214 of the base part 212.

[0146] The curved washer comprises a channel configured for rotatably engaging with the elongated member 214 of the base part 212.

[0147] FIG. 8A shows an assembled version of a rotatable link with tilt function. FIG. 8B shows a cross-section of FIG. 8A.

[0148] FIG. 8D shows an assembled version of a rotatable link with tilt function, and with the functionality of rotary movement along the plane of the plate secured to the link.

REFERENCES

[0149] 100 Rotatable link [0150] 200 Body section [0151] 210 Base part [0152] 212 Base unit [0153] 213 Cable channel [0154] 214 Elongated member [0155] 215 First end [0156] 216 Second end [0157] 218 Stop pin [0158] 219 First end [0159] 220 Rotation ring [0160] 230 Body part [0161] 231 Cable channel [0162] 232 Bottom part [0163] 233 Channel [0164] 234 Cable channel [0165] 235 Rotation limiting channel [0166] 236 Tilt insert [0167] 237 Tilt part [0168] 238 Channel [0169] 239 Channel [0170] 240 Second fastener [0171] 242 Spring washer system [0172] 244 Lock nut [0173] 300 Base section [0174] 310 Base unit [0175] 312 Cable channel [0176] 320 Elongated member [0177] 322 First end [0178] 324 Second end [0179] 330 Rotation limiting channel [0180] 400 Rotation disc [0181] 410 Channel [0182] 420 Cable channel [0183] 500 First fastener [0184] 510 Washer system [0185] 512 Channel [0186] 520 Washer system [0187] 521 Washer [0188] 520 Lock nut [0189] 600 Tube