U.S. patent application number 11/079182 was filed with the patent office on 2005-09-22 for image display device.
This patent application is currently assigned to LG Electronics Inc.. Invention is credited to Lee, Jin Woo.
Application Number | 20050205745 11/079182 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36147015 |
Filed Date | 2005-09-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050205745 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lee, Jin Woo |
September 22, 2005 |
Image display device
Abstract
An image display device includes a body for displaying an image,
a position adjusting device at a rear of the body for adjusting a
height, a left/right angle, and a forward/backward slope of the
body, a base, a support having an upper end rotatably coupled to
the position adjusting device and a lower end rotatably coupled to
the base, and a seating recess in an upper surface of the base for
folding and placing the support therein, thereby permitting
adjustment of the height, the left/right angle, and the
forward/backward slope of the body.
Inventors: |
Lee, Jin Woo;
(Gyeongsangbuk-do, KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BIRCH STEWART KOLASCH & BIRCH
PO BOX 747
FALLS CHURCH
VA
22040-0747
US
|
Assignee: |
LG Electronics Inc.
|
Family ID: |
36147015 |
Appl. No.: |
11/079182 |
Filed: |
March 15, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
248/371 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16M 11/12 20130101;
Y10S 248/923 20130101; F16M 11/046 20130101; F16M 13/02 20130101;
F16M 11/24 20130101; F16M 11/2064 20130101; F16M 2200/08
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/371 |
International
Class: |
G03G 015/00; A47G
029/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 16, 2004 |
JP |
P2004-17629 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A stand for an image display device, comprising: a base; a
support having a lower end portion pivotally coupled to said base;
and a position adjusting device pivotally coupled to an upper end
portion of said support, said position adjusting device
independently permitting substantially linear adjustment of a
height, pivotal adjustment of a left/right angle, and pivotal
adjustment of a forward/backward slope of an image display device
attached thereto.
2. The stand according to claim 1, wherein said position adjusting
device comprises: a height adjusting device for attachment to a
rear of the image display device for moving the image display
device in an up/down direction; a swivel adjusting device coupled
to said height adjusting device for permitting left/right swiveling
of the image display device; and a tilt adjustment device coupled
to said support for permitting forward/backward tilting of the
image display device.
3. The stand according to claim 2, wherein said swivel adjusting
device comprises a first shaft rotatably coupled to said height
adjusting device, and said tilt adjustment device comprises a
second shaft rotatably coupled to said support.
4. The stand according to claim 3, wherein said second shaft
intersects with said first shaft.
5. The stand according to claim 3, wherein said height adjusting
device comprises: a vertical guide rail attachable to the rear of
the image display device; and a guide block slidably coupled to
said guide rail.
6. The stand according to claim 5, wherein said guide block
includes a pair of brackets at a top and a bottom thereof, and
wherein said first shaft has a top end and a bottom end rotatably
coupled to said pair of brackets.
7. The stand according to claim 6, wherein said support has an
opening in an upper portion for preventing interference between
said pair of brackets and said support at the time of the
left/right angle adjustment of the image display device, as well as
interference between said first shaft and said support at the time
of the forward/backward slope adjustment of the image display
device.
8. The stand according to claim 1, further comprising at least one
supplementary base located at a rear of said base, said
supplementary base being movable between a stowed position and a
deployed position for providing supplemental rearward support of
said stand when said support is pivoted rearwardly by a
predetermined amount.
9. The stand according to claim 8, wherein a pair of supplementary
bases are provided at opposite sides of said rear of said base.
10. The stand according to claim 1, further comprising at least one
cord fastener located in an underside surface of said base for
winding a mouse cord thereon.
11. The stand according to claim 10 wherein said cord fastener
comprises: a recess in said underside surface of said base; a reel
projected from a center of said recess for winding the mouse cord
thereon; and a disc located at a bottom of said reel for preventing
the mouse cord on said reel from escaping from said recess.
12. The stand according to claim 1, and in combination therewith,
an image display device.
13. The stand according to claim 12, wherein said image display
device is a flat panel monitor.
14. The stand according to claim 13, wherein said flat panel
monitor is a liquid crystal display monitor.
15. A stand for an image display device, comprising: a base; a
support having a lower end portion pivotally coupled to said base;
and a position adjusting device pivotally coupled to an upper end
portion of said support, said position adjusting device including a
first shaft for permitting tilting about a substantially horizontal
axis of an image display device attached thereto, and a second
shaft for permitting swiveling about a substantially vertical axis
which intersects said substantially horizontal axis.
16. The stand according to claim 15, wherein said position
adjusting device further comprises a height adjusting device for
attachment to a rear of the image display device for moving the
image display device in an up/down direction, said height adjusting
device including: a vertical guide rail attachable to the rear of
the image display device; and a guide block slidably coupled to
said guide rail.
17. The stand according to claim 16, wherein said first shaft is
pivotally coupled to said height adjusting device, wherein said
guide block includes a pair of brackets at a top and a bottom
thereof, and wherein said first shaft has a top end and a bottom
end rotatably coupled to said pair of brackets.
18. A stand for an image display device, comprising: a base; a
support having a lower end portion pivotally coupled to said base
for movement between an upstanding substantially vertical position,
and a folded substantially horizontal position; and a position
adjusting device pivotally coupled to an upper end portion of said
support, said position adjusting device permitting pivotal
adjustment of a left/right angle and a forward/backward slope of an
image display device attached thereto, said position adjusting
device further permitting the image display device to fold
substantially flat adjacent to said support, whereby said stand is
convertible between a first configuration for use with said base on
a substantially horizontal surface, and a second configuration
suitable for wall-mounting where said support is pivoted to a
substantially flat position adjacent to said base and the image
display device is pivoted to a substantially flat position adjacent
to said support.
19. The stand according to claim 18, wherein said position
adjusting device comprises: a height adjusting device for
attachment to a rear of the image display device for moving the
image display device in an up/down direction; a swivel adjusting
device coupled to said height adjusting device for permitting
left/right swiveling of the image display device; and a tilt
adjustment device coupled to said support for permitting
forward/backward tilting of the image display device.
20. The stand according to claim 19, wherein: said swivel adjusting
device comprises a first shaft rotatably coupled to said height
adjusting device; said height adjusting device comprises a vertical
guide rail attachable to the rear of the image display device, and
a guide block slidably coupled to said guide rail; said guide block
includes a pair of brackets at a top and a bottom thereof; said
first shaft has a top end and a bottom end rotatably coupled to
said pair of brackets; and said support has an opening in an upper
portion for preventing interference between said pair of brackets
and said support at the time of the left/right angle adjustment of
the image display device, as well as interference between said
first shaft and said support at the time of the forward/backward
slope adjustment of the image display device.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of Korean Application
No. P2004-0017629 filed on Mar. 16, 2004, which is hereby
incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a stand of an image display
device, and more particularly, to a stand in which adjustment of a
height, a left/right angle, and a forward/backward slope of an
image display device body is made possible.
[0004] 2. Discussion of the Related Art
[0005] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a related art image
display device. Referring to FIG. 1, the related art image display
device is provided with a body 1, a base 2, and a hinge assembly 3.
The body 1 displays an image, and the base 2 supports a load of the
body 1. The hinge assembly 3 at a top of the base 2 enables the
body 1 to rotate in a forward/backward direction. That is, the user
adjusts the forward/backward slope of the body 1 by using the hinge
assembly 3.
[0006] The related art image display device has several problems.
First, the hinge assembly 3 has many components, such as a
plurality of friction springs or torsion springs, washers, nuts,
and so on, that require much time for fabrication. Second, the
related art image display device can be adjusted only in the
forward/backward direction of the body by using the hinge assembly.
That is, even if required, the height and the left/right angle of
the body cannot be adjusted.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention is directed to an image display device
that substantially obviates one or more problems due to limitations
and disadvantages of the related art.
[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide an image
display device, in which adjustment of a height, a left/right
angle, and a forward/backward slope of a body thereof displaying an
image is made possible.
[0009] Additional advantages, objects, and features of the
invention will be set forth in part in the description which
follows and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary
skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be
learned from practice of the invention. The objectives and other
advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by the
stricture particularly pointed out in the written description and
claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.
[0010] To achieve these objects and other advantages, and in
accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and
broadly described herein, an image display device includes a body
for displaying an image, a position adjusting device at a rear of
the body for adjusting a height, a left/right angle, and a
forward/backward slope of the body, a base, and a support having an
upper end rotatably coupled to the position adjusting device and a
lower end rotatably coupled to the base. A seating recess may be
provided in an upper surface of the base for folding and placing
the support therein.
[0011] The position adjusting device includes a height adjusting
device on the rear of the body for moving the body in an up/down
direction, a first shaft rotatably coupled to the height adjusting
device which functions as a center shaft during left/right angle
adjustment of the body, and a second shaft which passes through the
first shaft and which is rotatably coupled to the support which
functions as a center shaft during forward/backward slope
adjustment of the body.
[0012] The height adjusting device includes a vertical guide rail
on the rear of the body, and a guide block slidably coupled to the
guide rail. The guide block includes one pair of brackets at a top
and a bottom of a rear thereof, and the first shaft has a top end
and a bottom end rotatably coupled to the brackets.
[0013] The support has an opening in an upper portion, for
preventing interference between the bracket and the support during
left/right angle adjustment of the body, as well as interference
between the first shaft and the support during forward/backward
slope adjustment of the body. The support is hinged at one side of
the base.
[0014] The image display device further includes a supplementary
base at the rear of the base for securely supporting the body
during forward/backward slope adjustment of the body. The
supplementary base is provided at opposite sides of the rear of the
base.
[0015] The image display device further includes at least one cord
fastener in an underside surface of the base for winding a mouse
cord thereon. The cord fastener includes a circular recess in the
underside surface of the base, and a reel projected from a center
of the recess for winding the mouse cord thereon. The image display
device further includes a disc at a bottom of the reel for
preventing the mouse cord on the reel from escaping through the
bottom of the recess. The recess includes a first guide groove at
one side for guiding the mouse cord wound on the reel to a side of
the base, and a second guide groove extended from one side to the
rear of the base. Preferably, the cord fastener is provided at
opposite sides of the underside surface of the base.
[0016] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general
description and the following detailed description of the present
invention are exemplary and are intended to provide further
explanation of the invention as claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a
further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and
constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiment(s) of
the invention and together with the description serve to explain
the principle of the invention. In the drawings:
[0018] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a related art image
display device;
[0019] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of an image display
device in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
[0020] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a detailed
structure of the `A` part in FIG. 2;
[0021] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view showing operation of a
supplementary base in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
present invention;
[0022] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view showing an underside
of the base in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
present invention;
[0023] FIG. 6 illustrates a diagram showing height adjustment, and
forward/backward slope adjustment of a body in accordance with a
preferred embodiment of the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 7 illustrates a diagram showing left/right angle
adjustment of a body in accordance with a preferred embodiment of
the present invention;
[0025] FIGS. 8(a)-8(d) show the steps of a process for minimizing a
bulk of an image display device in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention; and
[0026] FIG. 9 illustrates a diagram showing an image display device
in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention
mounted on a wall.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0027] Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred
embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are
illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the
same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to
refer to the same or like parts.
[0028] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the image display device
includes a body 100, a position adjusting device 200, a base 300,
and a support 400. The body 100 may be an LCD monitor, for example,
that displays an image, and the position adjusting device 200 is
provided to a rear of the body 100 for adjusting a height, a
left/right angle, and a forward/backward slope of the body 100.
That is, the user adjusts the height, the left/right angle, and the
forward/backward slope of the body 100 by using the position
adjusting device 200. The base 300 supports a load of the body 100,
and may be placed on a horizontal surface such as a desk, table or
floor. The support 400 has an upper end rotatably (pivotally)
coupled to the position adjusting device 200, and a lower end
rotatably (pivotally) coupled to the base 300. The base 300 has a
seating recess 310 for receiving the support 400 therein when the
support 400 is folded with the base 300.
[0029] Referring to FIG. 3, the position adjusting device 200
includes a height adjusting device 210, a first shaft 220, and a
second shaft 230. The height adjusting device 210 includes a
vertical guide rail 211 on a rear surface of the body 100, and a
guide block 212 slidably coupled to the guide rail 211. According
to this, a height of the body 100 can be adjusted as the guide rail
211 slides along the guide block 212.
[0030] The first shaft 220 is rotatably coupled to the height
adjusting device 200 acting as a center shaft during left/right
angle adjustment of the body 100. The guide block 212 has a pair of
brackets 213 at a top and a bottom, to which the first shaft 220 is
rotatably coupled. Accordingly, the left/right angle of the body
100 is adjusted as the pair of brackets 213 rotate around the first
shaft 220. That is, if the pair of brackets rotate around the first
shaft 220, the body 100 also rotates together with the brackets
213.
[0031] The second shaft 230 passes through the first shaft 220, and
is coupled to the support 400. The second shaft acts as a center
shaft during forward/backward slope adjustment of the body 100. The
second shaft 230 horizontally crosses the first shaft 220 at a
right angle, and has opposite ends rotatably coupled to the support
400. Accordingly, the forward/backward slope adjustment of the body
100 is made as the first shaft 220 is rotated around the second
shaft 230 in a forward/backward direction.
[0032] The support 400 has an opening 410 in an upper portion, for
preventing interference between the bracket 213 and the support 400
during left/right angle adjustment of the body 100, as well as
preventing interference between the first shaft 220 and the support
400 during forward/backward slope adjustment of the body 100.
[0033] Referring now to FIG. 4, the support 400 is hinged at one
side of the base 300, such that the support 400 rotates around the
hinge 320. When the support 400 is rotated forward and folded onto
the base 300, the support 400 is placed in the seating recess 310
in the upper surface of the base 300. In the meantime, there are
supplementary bases 330 rotatably coupled to a rear of the base 300
for securely supporting the body 100 and reducing/preventing
rearward tipping.
[0034] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view showing operation of a
supplementary base 330 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of
the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, when the body 100
rotates rearwardly of the base 300 (see FIG. 8A or 8B), the
supplementary bases 330 pivot rearwardly and extend from folded
(stowed) positions on the rear of the base 300 to rearwardly
extended (deployed) positions, for securely supporting the body
100. That is, if the body 100 is tilted toward the rear of the base
300, to change a center of gravity of the image display device, the
image display device may lose its balance and fall down. In this
instance, the supplementary bases 330 extend rearwardly of the base
300, to prevent the image display device from falling down.
[0035] The supplementary bases 330 may be configured to deploy
automatically or manually. For example, the supplementary bases 330
may include biasing members, such as springs, for biasing the
supplementary bases 330 toward a deployed position, and may include
a suitable latch mechanism (not shown) for maintaining the
supplemental bases 330 in a stowed position. Actuation of the latch
mechanism and deployment of the supplementary bases 330 may be
triggered, for example, manually by depressing a button 335, or
automatically according to the angular position of the support 400
when the support 400 is pivoted rearwardly to a point where tipping
of the apparatus is imminent. Alternatively, the supplementary
bases 330 may simply be manually movable back and forth between
stowed and deployed positions, without the use of springs, latches,
etc.
[0036] The supplementary bases 330 are provided to rotate by an
angle of approximately 90.degree., respectively. Of course, the
supplementary bases 330 may even be designed to rotate more than
180.degree.. It is preferable that the supplementary bases 330 are
provided to opposite sides of the rear of the base 300 for
maintaining a more secure balance of the body 100.
[0037] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view showing an underside
of the base 300 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
present invention. Referring to FIG. 5, there is at least one cord
fastening unit 340 in an underside of the base 300 for winding a
mouse cord, keyboard, or other cord thereon. The cord fastening
unit 340 includes a circular recess 341 in the underside surface of
the base 300, and a reel 342 projected from a center of the recess
341, for winding a mouse cord 500 thereon.
[0038] A disc 343 is located at a bottom of the reel 342 for
preventing the mouse cord 500 on the reel 342 from escaping from
the bottom of the reel 342. Accordingly, even if the image display
device is moved in a state where the base 300 is lifted from the
supporting surface for packaging, the mouse cord 500 on the reel
342 is caught at the disc 343, and cannot escape from the reel
342.
[0039] A first guide groove 345 extends from one side of the recess
341 toward a side of the base. Therefore, the mouse cord 500 on the
reel 342 may be drawn from the side of the base 300 through the
first guide groove 345. Moreover, there is a second guide groove
344 extended from one side of the recess 341 toward the rear of the
base 300. Therefore, the mouse cord 500 may be wound on the reel
342 in the underside surface of the base 300 through the second
guide groove 344, and drawn from the side of the base 300 through
the first guide groove 345 as long as necessary.
[0040] The cord fastening unit 340 is provided for clearing away
unnecessary mouse cord 500. That is, if the mouse cord 500 is
unnecessarily long, the extra mouse cord 500 is wound on the reel
342 in the cord fastening unit 340, for preventing inconvenience
caused by an unnecessarily long mouse cord 500. The cord fastening
unit 340 may be in opposite portions of the rear of the base 300.
In this case, the user may draw the mouse cord 500 from the left or
right side of the base 300 for a right-handed or left-handed
user.
[0041] The operation of the image display device of the present
invention will now be described. FIG. 6 illustrates a diagram
showing height adjustment, and forward/backward slope adjustment of
the body 100 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
present invention.
[0042] Referring to FIG. 6, when it is intended to adjust a height
of the body 100, a the user applies force in an F1 direction. In
this instance, the guide block 212 slides along the guide rail 211
on the rear of the body 100, to move the body 100 upward or
downward, thereby adjusting a height of the body 100.
[0043] If the user pushes or pulls the body 100 in an F2 direction
for adjusting the forward/backward slope of the body 100, the first
shaft 220 rotates around the second shaft 230 in a forward/backward
direction of the base 300, and the support 400 pivots about the
hinge 320 of the base 300. In this instance, as the body 100
rotates in the forward/backward direction of the base 300, the
forward/backward slope of the body 100 is adjusted.
[0044] If the body 100 rotates rearward of the base 300, a center
of gravity of the body 100 moves rearward of the base 300 and the
body 100 may begin leaning. In this condition, the body 100 is
liable to fall down rearwardly of the base 300. In this instance,
referring to FIG. 4, the supplementary bases 330 at the rear of the
base 300 are manually or automatically extended as described above.
Therefore, even if the center of gravity of the body 100 moves
rearwardly of the base 300, the body 100 can be balanced by the
supplementary bases 330.
[0045] FIG. 7 illustrates a diagram showing left/right angle
adjustment of a body in accordance with a preferred embodiment of
the present invention. Referring to FIG. 7, if the user applies a
force to the body 100 in an F3 direction for adjusting the
left/right angle of the body 100, the brackets 213 at the top and
the bottom of the rear of the guide block 212 rotate around the
first shaft 220. In this instance, the body 100 rotates in the
left/right direction to adjust the left/right angle of the body
100.
[0046] The present invention also allows the user to minimize a
bulk of the image display device for mounting the device on a wall
or for packing. FIGS. 8(a)-8(d) show the steps of a process for
minimizing a bulk of the image display device in accordance with a
preferred embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9
illustrates a diagram showing the image display device in
accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention
mounted on a wall.
[0047] Referring to FIG. 8A, the body 100 is rotated about the
support 400 by approximately 180.degree. to bring the body 100 to a
position rearward of the base 300 as shown in FIG. 8B. In this
instance, as described before, the supplementary bases 330 stretch
rearwardly of the base 300 to maintain balance of the body 100.
[0048] Next, as shown in FIG. 8B, the support 400 is rotated toward
the base 300 by approximately 90.degree., until the support 400 is
placed in the seating recess 310 in the upper surface of the base
300.
[0049] Then, referring to FIG. 8C, the body 100 is pushed in an
arrow direction, to minimize the height of the body 100. In this
instance, the supplementary bases 330 are returned to their
original positions. Of course, by changing a sequence, after
minimizing the height of the body 100 at first, the support 400 may
be placed in the seating recess 310.
[0050] Referring to FIG. 8D, upon finishing such a process, the
image display device is in a state where the body 100, the support
400, and the base 300 are stacked in succession substantially
parallel with one another, to minimize an entire bulk of the image
display device.
[0051] Referring to FIG. 9, the user may mount the image display
device having the bulk thereof minimized on a wall for use. The
user may mount the image display device on the wall and still use
the reel 342 and the disc 343 of the cord fastening unit 340 in the
underside surface of the base 300.
[0052] If the user uses a mouse, an unnecessary length of the mouse
cord 500 is wound on the reel 342 of the cord fastening unit 340,
to use only a necessary length of the mouse cord 500. In more
detail, the unnecessary length of the mouse cord 500 connected to a
computer (not shown) is wound on the reel 342 through the second
guide groove 344 of the cord fastening unit 340. The necessary
length of the mouse cord 500 is drawn from the base 300 through the
first guide groove 345. According to this, the interference of the
unnecessary mouse cord 500 with a user's work is prevented.
[0053] The image display device of the present invention has
several advantages. First, the user can move the body 100 to a
desired position by using a position adjusting device at a rear of
the body 100. That is, the user can move the height, the left/right
angle, and the forward/backward slope of the body 100 as the user
likes. Second, because a complex hinge assembly is not used, the
position adjusting device of the present invention is easy to
fabricate, and costs less. Third, even if the body 100 is rotated
backward, the balance of the body 100 can be maintained by means of
the supplementary bases 330. Therefore, user satisfaction of the
product can be improved. Fourth, since the bulk of the image
display device can be minimized, a space can be used effectively
when the image display device is packed, or mounted on a wall.
Fifth, the possibility of clearing an unnecessary length of mouse
cord by using the cord fastening unit 340 permits effective work of
the user.
[0054] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various
modifications and variations can be made in the present invention
without departing from the spirit or scope of the inventions. Thus,
it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications
and variations of this invention provided they come within the
scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *