One of the complaints about the iMac and Studio Display is that, while you can tilt the screens, you can’t raise, lower, or swivel them.
However, that could change in future iterations of the products. Apple has filed for a patent (number US 20240329691 A1) for a “Reconfigurable Stand Ecosystem.”
About the patent filing
The patent generally involves stands, arms, and other supports for electronic devices. More particularly, it relates to connection assemblies for adjusting the tilt, height, and attachment status of computing devices and their supports.
In the patent filing, Apple notes that device makers are constantly seeking out improvements to the user’s experience with the assembly, portability, ergonomics, aesthetics, and durability of their devices. For some devices, such as a computer monitor, display screen, touch screen, or “all-in-one” computer (i.e., a computer monitor that also contains a processor and other computing components), the rear-facing side of the housing of the device can be covered with unsightly and distracting cords, hinges, markings, ports, labels, fasteners, and other components.
Although a device maker may find ways to reduce or eliminate those undesirable features, the redesigned device usually lacks versatility, such as only being compatible with one stand, and, in many cases, not being able to be removed from the stand at all.
Additionally, users often prefer the stands of their devices to have a quality, solid, and sturdy feel whether the stand is adjusted, tilted, lifted, moved, or replaced. Providing these features frequently comes at a high cost due to high part complexity, difficulty to manufacture or transport, expensive custom parts and materials, and more.
Apple’s patent filing involves a way to build durable, sturdy stands that are reconfigurable and aesthetically pleasing.
Summary of the patent filing
Here’s Apple’s abstract of the patent filing: “Support systems and stands for electronic devices include tilt hinges, lift arms, and their component parts. Some tilt hinges include assemblies for guiding and retaining bars or protrusions into preferred positioning within receiver openings to unify the parts, particularly as they move, and to reduce wobble or slop in the joints. Lift arms provide simplified and low-cost guidance and counterbalance mechanisms for controlling movement of the electronic device relative to the base of a stand.
“In some cases, the lift arms have sheaths to help protect or cover mechanisms while allowing additional space for the mechanisms within the lift arm. Other interconnection systems hide and protect a connector interface between the stand and the electronic device within a housing until unlocked and the connector is moved into an exposed position. These systems improve efficiency, comfort, ergonomics, accessibility, and user satisfaction of the electronic devices and their supports.”
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